“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

Unfinished Faith

Walk His Way Revisited

This devotion is brought to you by Chapter 16 in Matthew. You might want to stop a moment to read it. In this chapter I saw myself in the pages of scripture. I realize I am no different than those who saw Jesus, walked with Him, and heard His teaching. For all our modern knowledge and education and technology advances, my human heart is just as unbelieving, just as slow to comprehend, just as selfish as theirs.

In Matthew 16 the Pharisees and Sadducees seek a sign from Jesus. Where had they been? Had they not seen or heard about the healing and the miracles and the astounding wisdom of His teaching? No sign is given. The problem is not with the lack of a sign. The problem was that they could not discern the signs already given.

The result of this exchange was that Jesus left them and departed. Unbelieving.

The disciples suffer the same lack of spiritual discernment to a lesser degree. When Jesus cautions them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, they think it is because they have brought no bread. They totally miss His meaning. Jesus reminds them of how He has just provided bread for the multitudes from just a few paltry loaves and questions their little faith. Slow to comprehend.

Unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees though, the disciples did have faith, but it was small. Small, but growing. Small, but teachable. Jesus exhorts them to remember what they have seen and known of Him. Then they understood His warning to beware of empty religious doctrine. Spiritual discernment was awakening. And unlike the Pharisees, Jesus did not leave them but continued to patiently nurture their little faith.

Further along in this passage is the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God. Following this staggering revelation, Peter falters. He fails to grasp the full significance of God’s eternal plan and he rebukes Jesus. Why would he presume to rebuke the very Son of God? It was because Peter was not mindful of the things of God, but was centered on the things of man. Selfish.

I am guilty of all these things. I often do not discern spiritual signs. I exhibit little faith. I am slow to grasp God’s intention. And I certainly think too much on the things of men rather than the things of God.

Jesus ends the chapter by declaring that in order to follow Him I must deny myself and take up my cross. This is an “all in” covenant. My life is in Him alone. I must be paying attention, listening for His voice, willing to set aside my will, my convenience, and my comfort to pursue His greater good. He has given me His broken body, His poured out blood, an eternity and a glorious inheritance. He will grow my faith. He will teach me. He sacrificed all and now I must give Him first place in my thoughts and in my lifestyle. Like the disciples, I am growing and I remain teachable. He will complete the good work that He has begun in me, just as He did for His disciples. These stumbling, faltering men turned the world upside down. There is yet a great hope for me!

Father, I am so grateful for Your patience with me. You are well able to teach me higher ways. I will most gladly lose myself in You. Amen.