| Mark 8:34-35 – “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” |
What would you sacrifice your freedom for?
Most would say, “nothing is worth my freedom?”
But are you sure? Even in a land like ours that boasts we are free, many feel a kind of subtle bondage, a velvet handcuff.
We are like monkeys.
There was an expedition of scientists who set out to capture of Africa a particular species of monkey in the jungles. It was important that the monkeys be brought back alive and unharmed.
Using their knowledge of a monkey’s ways, the scientists derived a trap consisting of a small jar with a long, narrow neck. Into the jar was placed a handful of nuts. Several of these jars were placed on the jungle floor.
A monkey sensing the nuts in a bottle would thrust his paw into a long neck and take a fistful of nuts.
However, as soon as he tried to withdraw the prize, he found that his clenched fist would not pass through the narrow neck of the bottle.
So, all the monkeys stayed where they were, screaming in fear, unable to escape with their booty. And yet, unwilling to let go–until the members of the expedition arrived and took them captive.
The man who is most free is the one who can let go of what he holds onto.
Jesus told his listeners what true discipleship was.
It wasn’t the long days trudging along, listening to the wisdom of Jesus.
It wasn’t even being one of the twelve.
It was more intense than that, but available to all in any culture at any time. But as available as it is, it is difficult to attain.
For Jesus, he gave us the freedom to follow him. He said, “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34–35, NIV)
If we can let go of the life we cherish, we can gain the life of destiny. Are we holding on too tight to follow Jesus?
–Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
