Be Still And Know

Matthew 10:38-39 Jesus said, “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” These statements take us to the heart of Jesus’ ministry. Our society assumes that we find life by acquiring more and more things. But Jesus turned that thinking on its head and declared that the way to find life is by giving everything away. This is precisely how he lived. He was constantly giving himself to others and, on the cross, he gave absolutely everything. Here, he spelled out that anyone who wants to follow him must consider that their life is not their own and be ready to lose it completely in order to find the life that he came to bring. Clinging on to life is the surest way of losing it. Crucifixion was the most terrible form of torture and execution. It was carefully designed to ensure that the person being crucified suffered for the longest possible time. Some people hung fr