Where Are You Going This Easter?

I've been reading through the gospels over the past few months, which are four accounts of Jesus' life and ministry, from the perspective of the different writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

These books are filled with stories, various teachings on how to live, and accounts of all kinds of miracles.

Regardless of your familiarity with the gospels, no doubt you have heard of some of the stories. Like Jesus feeding thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and some fish. (I don't like fish, so I would have asked for seconds on the bread).

Or maybe you remember parts of sermons that Jesus shared; often by the water or even standing in a boat..in part I think so His voice would carry to the masses. Like the story of the farmer who sowed seed that fell on four different types of ground. Do you know that one?

Or maybe you have heard of how Jesus healed people...some He gave sight to, or made the lame to walk again, or healed their leprosy. He even brought a friend of his back to life!

Or maybe you know that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding, where He was asked to to step in when the host was running low on wine. (A social embarrassment)

The Crowds

As I read these accounts, it occurred to me that for most of Jesus' ministry, crowds followed him wherever He went. Word spread of all he was doing and people wanted to see for themselves, and more importantly, maybe get something for themselves...a good life changing message, some food or maybe even get healed from a nagging ailment.

If you and I were around then, maybe we'd have done the same thing?

I mean, it would be easy to follow Jesus to the beach, or a healing service, or a party, right? But, while it maybe easy to follow Jesus when He's doing something spectacular, at the large event, healing service or party, we may not be so inclined to follow Jesus to the cross.

In fact, that is where the crowds disappeared. The people who shouted "Hosannah!!" on what we call Palm Sunday, were the same people who cried out, Crucify Him, crucify Him!" just a few days later.

His disciples denied Him.

His "followers" deserted Him, and

His biggest fans, left Him.

Why?

Because it's easy to follow Jesus to the beach, to the exciting event, or the celebration...but it's something else to follow Him to the cross.

But Jesus said,

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23.

What was he saying? Well, let's start with what Jesus wasn't saying.

Some interpret the “cross” to be taken up as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness, etc. They look at their difficulty and say, “That’s my cross I have to carry.” But I would suggest this is not what Jesus meant.

Jesus’ command to “take up your cross and follow Me” is a call to humility and self-sacrifice. We must be willing to die in order to follow Jesus. Dying to self is an absolute surrender to God.

Dying to our way of thinking; to our way of doing things, to our version of how to live, period.

Jesus calls us to surrender, sacrifice and to serve, not half-hearted allegiance.

The crowds followed Jesus for only so long and so far.

So let me ask you, as I ask myself, where are you going this Easter?

Q. Will you be a crowd follower or a Jesus follower?

Until next time - Dan