The Cross is an Obstacle to Selfishness
The Cross of Selflessness – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:21-28

Key Verse: Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Yesterday and today we are studying the art of living life with less focus on self.  To truly follow Christ we must do some intentional work in this area of who we serve first.  It takes no effort, mentally or physically, to be selfish; it comes with our human nature.  To grow more like Christ, I must do some mental exercise to remember that this life is not supposed to be all about me!

The cross of Christ is an obstacle to our selfish thinking.  We can’t get around it nor ignore it if we plan to continue to journey with God.  The cross demands my intentional effort to put others first.  When Jesus tells us to pick up our cross, we must realize it will mean less of you and more of others!  As we think about our day and what we want to accomplish, we will be called to give God permission to change that agenda.  He may call you into a day that serves another person.  That person may take up a lot of your time.  That person may drain you emotionally.  You may be called to help that person financially.  This cross of Christ is a cross of selflessness.  Selfishness will and must die on this cross.  As Jesus said to the Father in heaven, “not my will but your will be done,” He drained the last drops of selfishness from His humanity.  We will be led by God’s Spirit to take the focus off ourselves in this life!

Father, I humble myself before you, seeking strength to turn my back on my selfish desires.  I want to serve others.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.