What Is on Your “Must Do List”?

In the days just before Jesus faced Calvary it was written: “He said, `I must go to Jerusalem…” (Matthew 16: 21). Thus, summarily He said there was something He “must” do. For Him, and for us it was imperative that He must go.

Jesus was definitive as to why He must go to Jerusalem. It was to “suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16: 21). Not an easy assignment, but a critical one. Jesus was laser-focused on going. He was saying He must die that we may live.

Peter, who insisted that He not go. Later in Gethsemane Peter resisted Jesus’ arrest. Often one’s best friend becomes his biggest obstacle in following Jesus. Hence, it becomes Jesus or me. In being an obstacle the friend is indirectly living out, “It is me of Jesus, you choose.”

Here is the clincher. Jesus said,“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way” (Matthew 16: 24). Most people don’t grasp the seriousness of this calling. Giving up our own way is challenging. Such is demanding, but rewarding. Think of an occasion of having done so as a result of commitment. Remember the sense of fulfillment? You win by losing.

Giving up our own way is contrary to the concept of Jesus. We want gain without pain.

Some indirectly teach it’s all about me. Jesus wants me  healthy, wealthy, and happy. He wants His followers well or rich. and if you aren’t all those things, they don’t have enough faith or they aren’t sending them enough money. Farcically they are teaching Christianity is designed for you to get everything you need and want. NOT!

By way of contrast Jesus is the paramount example of true commitment.. He was willing to stay committed to His mission because He realized the reward was worth the effort. Make sure the things on your “Must List” are worth the effort. What is the payoff?

The ultimate reward is said to be Jesus will reward us along with His angels (Matthew 16: 27). This teaches us there are degrees of rewards in heaven. All who trust Him are saved. However, the extent of faithfulness thereafter will determine one’s rewards in heaven. The nature of the reward is unspecified. Whatever it is it will be worth it because of the one who gives it, Jesus.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16: 24 – 27).