2 April

This joy is overflowing – ‘filled with delight’ (v.30). It is constant – ‘day after day’ (v.30). Where does this joy come from?

First, it comes from God’s presence (‘in his presence’, v.30). Second, it comes from relationships with other people (‘the human family’, v.31, MSG). Third, it comes from God’s creation (‘world of things and creatures’, v.31, MSG). God has given us all good things richly to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

The joy that Jesus experienced in his relationship with God the Father strengthened him in his life on earth. Fix your ‘eyes on Jesus… who for the joy set before him endured the cross’ (Hebrews 12:2–3). Jesus teaches us to aim high with our own lives, never just ‘making do’ but enduring hardships and always seeking the joy of God’s presence.

The disciples begin to understand who Jesus really is when he asks: ‘“Who do you say I am?” and Peter answers, “The Christ of God.”’ (v.20). Jesus begins to explain to them about his death (the greatest act of love in history) and resurrection. He challenges his disciples to aim high. He calls you to aim at three things, which together comprise love for others and love for Jesus.

• No sin
  Sin is the opposite of love. In the middle of the word SIN is the letter ‘I’. Jesus says, ‘Those who would come after me must deny themselves’ (v.23). God may ask you to make different sacrifices in your life, but the only thing we are all required to give up is sin.
  
  Every day the challenge of love requires little acts of self-denial.
• No self
  Jesus says, ‘Those who would come after me must... take up their cross daily and follow me, for those who want to save their lives will lose them, but those who lose their lives for me will save them’ (vv.23–24).
  
  Effectively, Jesus invites us to ‘come... and die’. The cross today is a symbol of hope. However, then it was a symbol of pain, shame, disgrace and ultimately death.
  
  Jesus said that if you and I live a life of selfish ambition – even if you are the most successful person of all time and ‘gain the whole world’ (v.25) – it will do you no good at all. The way to find life in all its fullness is to abandon your life to the love of Jesus and of others. Take up your cross daily and follow him (v.23).
  
  Being willing to give up your life is the ultimate act of love. This is the example that Jesus set first. He calls you and me to follow his example: ‘cleave steadfastly to me, conform wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying’ (v.23, AMP).
• No secrecy
  Jesus says, ‘All who are ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels’ (v.26).
  
  If you love Jesus don’t be ashamed of him. Sometimes even taking his name on our lips is a challenge. Don’t be ashamed of his teaching (his ‘words’). If you want Jesus to be proud of you, you must be proud of him. If you love people you will want everyone to know about Jesus.

The Greek word for deposit (arabone) is a word that means ‘down payment’. In other words, you experience here and now a foretaste of that inheritance through the Holy Spirit. As you live in the Spirit, your life will be changed to produce the fruit of ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22). Don’t settle for second best; aim to be full of the Holy Spirit.