Today’s 333 Devotional: “Did You Know?”

The Apostle John records that not only did Jesus know that His time of departure was near, but that the Father had given all things into His hand. It was then with this knowledge that Jesus willingly went to the cross.

“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father … Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God.” (John 3:1,3)

This got me thinking, if Jesus says in Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me,” what do we need to know to willingly pick up our cross and follow?

We need to know that we are sinners and the penalty for our sins is eternal death, but God’s gift of eternal life is through His Son Jesus Christ.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

We also need to know that Jesus died for us so our sins can be forgiven.

“The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6b)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

We then need to know that our sins can be forgiven through belief in Jesus Christ.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7)

Further, to follow we need to know that no matter what, we can accomplish God’s will through our belief in Jesus.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Therefore, with this knowledge we can willingly step out and follow Christ making a difference in our families, communities, and the world.