The concept of discipleship in Christianity is a profound and transformative journey that requires complete surrender to Jesus Christ’s leadership. This surrender is not a passive act but an active, daily decision to align our lives with the teachings and example of Christ.
As Jesus himself said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This verse encapsulates the essence of true discipleship – a willingness to set aside personal desires and ambitions in favor of God’s will.
The act of surrendering to Christ’s leadership is a multifaceted process that involves every aspect of a believer’s life. It begins with acknowledging Christ as Lord and Savior, recognizing His authority over all creation, including one’s own life. This recognition leads to a fundamental shift in perspective, where the disciple no longer sees themselves as the center of their universe but rather as a servant of God and His purposes.
Surrendering to Christ’s leadership also means embracing His teachings and commandments as the guiding principles for one’s life. This involves studying Scripture, seeking to understand God’s will, and striving to apply biblical principles in daily situations. It requires a willingness to change long-held beliefs and behaviors that may not align with Christ’s teachings, even when such changes are difficult or uncomfortable.
Furthermore, surrendering to Christ’s leadership means trusting in His guidance and provision, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This trust is built on the foundation of faith, believing that God’s plans are ultimately for our good and His glory, even when circumstances seem challenging or incomprehensible from our limited human perspective.
The second part of the statement, “You pick up the cross and allow self to embrace it,” speaks to the sacrificial nature of discipleship. The cross, a symbol of suffering and death in the ancient world, became a powerful metaphor for the cost of following Christ. When Jesus calls His disciples to “take up their cross,” He is inviting them to embrace a life of self-denial and sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Throughout history, there have been numerous examples of men and women who have exemplified this kind of radical discipleship. One such example is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor who lived during the Nazi regime. Bonhoeffer’s commitment to Christ led him to actively resist the Nazi government, even when it meant risking his own life.
Bonhoeffer’s writings, particularly his book “The Cost of Discipleship,” reflect his deep understanding of what it means to surrender to Christ’s leadership and embrace the cross. He famously wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” This statement encapsulates Bonhoeffer’s belief that true discipleship requires a complete surrender of one’s life to Christ, even to the point of martyrdom.
Bonhoeffer lived out this conviction. Despite opportunities to remain safely in the United States during World War II, he chose to return to Germany to stand with his fellow believers and resist the Nazi regime. His involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler led to his arrest and eventual execution in a concentration camp just days before the end of the war.
Bonhoeffer’s life exemplifies what it means to surrender to Christ’s leadership and embrace the cross. He chose to align himself with God’s will, even when it meant opposing the prevailing powers of his time. He embraced the cross by willingly facing persecution and death for his faith and his stand against injustice.
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a radical call to surrender one’s life fully to His leadership. You and I can be the Bonhoeffers of our time. It’s Christ who gives the grace for such life of discipleship just as he has been through the ages.
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Jeff Hagen
President & Founder
Hill Cities, Inc.
