Matthew 16.24-26 describe that Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Jesus is not only Savior but He is Lord.

Jesus is not our co-pilot, as though He lives to make our lives better. Jesus is our Master and we live to make His glory known on earth as it is in heaven.

The key character quality of the follower of Jesus is self-sacrifice. whoever follows Jesus must take their cross and follow Him. The cross is the ultimate symbol of death to self and life given for the glory of God.

The Son of God did not come to do His own will but the will of Him Who sent Him. His will is that all should come to know Him by believing in the Son. The followers of Jesus must likewise surrender the pursuit of selfish ends in order to pursue men for kingdom restoration.

We do not seek to do our own will but the will of Him Who saved us. Our lives are destined for eternity with God where all we have ever really wanted will be given to us. All that we can achieve or obtain here on earth is temporary and destined for eternal destruction.

Therefore we must give ourselves to that which lasts forever: people, and their reconciliation to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ the Son.