Jesus was difficult...but clear

SCRIPTURE
"Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" (Luke 9:23-25)

OBSERVATION
As I read through Scripture, I'm struck with the ways in which Jesus had a way with words. His words had such clarity to them. People who heard what Jesus would say might not have totally understood everything Jesus said (not even His disciples always understood)...but that might be because Jesus knew that His audience was not just the people who were present when He spoke. His audience is also you and I. Jesus is still saying to the "crowds" "If any of you wants to follow me...."
God is on the move. Jesus did not say "If anyone wants to receive me." He said "Follow Me." And Jesus was also clear about the fact that following Him was a life and death deal. Death to myself (my selfishness, insecurities, fears, control, greed, pride, anxiety) so that Jesus could bring new life to me. The life that's found only when I surrender my life to Jesus. That's pretty hard...but very clear.

APPLICATION
I can pretend that I am in that "crowd" hearing Jesus look around and clearly describe what it takes to follow Him. I hear the invitation to be His disciple and I can't get my hand up fast enough. "I want to follow You, Jesus! I'm willing to pay whatever price. Whatever it takes." So as a Jesus follower, I will get up tomorrow morning and, once again, die to my "selfish ways" and allow Jesus to live in and through me.

PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the invitation to follow You. I think of my friends and neighbors who only know of You from a distance. They are so confused about who You really are. I pray that You would choose to use me and my family (as we die to ourselves and folow You) to help them to see the real You. Please grant us influence in their lives, and help us to represent You well. Thank You for the amazing opportunities You give me. I love honor and worship You.
In Jesus name, Amen