ORDER OF OPERATION
- Key Verse
- Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
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Central Truth
Jesus gives us three things to do to follow Him. It is important, however, that we pay just as much attention to how He delivered that message.
Reflections
Growing up, I was not a great math student. I have to go back to the basics every time I face a task requiring mathematics. One of these basics is "order of operation." Anyone remember the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally?" It helps us remember the correct order of performing mathematical operations and stands for Parentheses, Exponentiation, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.
Okay, I know that might be more information than you need this morning, but the order of operation is critical to achieve the correct result in math. For example, 3*(2+1) equals 9, properly applying the order of operation. If I do not apply the rule, however, I get the incorrect result of 7.
In Matthew 16:24 Jesus was not just giving us three tasks that are necessary to perform to be like Him. I believe He was also giving us an order of operation so that we could achieve the accurate result of becoming the people He wants us to be.
Consider the passage mathematically:
Come After Jesus = Deny Yourself * (Take Up Your Cross + Follow Him)
I group together "Take Up Your Cross" and "Follow Him," because it is possible for people inadvertently to reflect some form of Jesus in their lives. I see Christlike actions performed all the time by people who do not know Jesus and who claim to have found their own, better way. (Romans 1:21-22)
The key to getting the correct result is denying self. Most people see Jesus as an addition to our lives--that is, He takes what we are and adds to it. But Jesus is actually a multiplier. He multiplies our lives by His factor, which is infinity. Any number, except zero, multiplied by infinity is still infinity!
Jesus can take whatever we give and make us infinitely more like Him through the cross, but it only comes by denying ourselves and following Him. (Ephesians 3:20) Denying self is not easy, but it results in becoming more like Christ each time we do.
Discussion Questions
1. What is one way you can better deny yourself to become more like Jesus right now?2. What are some areas of your life in which you can see that Jesus has multiplied you to make you more like Him lately?
3. In which of the three tasks in the formula do you need the most improvement today (denying yourself, taking up your cross, or following after Jesus)?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What does it mean to “deny yourself”?
2. Why would Jesus ask that of His disciples?
3. Do you believe that He is asking that of you? How are you responding?
Anne Rodgers
March 1, 2010 07:27 AM
As a high school math teacher, I appreciate your journey this morning. He is the great multiplier! In fact, if we let him, He could make our lives exponentially worthwhile.
Jessica Hewitt
March 1, 2010 08:24 AM
Thanks so much for the devo this morning! Exactly what I needed. We are the middle of a move that is not what my flesh desires, but is what we feel the Lord is calling us to. It is so easy to give in to my flesh and wallow in sadness and fear rather than denying myself. Thank you for the reminder that this life isn't about me and my comfort, but about Him and His glory.
Braun Brown
March 1, 2010 08:55 AM
Great job Russ. Thinking through again today how every day is a battle to deny myself. Side note...You lost me on the math thing since my toughest college math course was Math Models and Computers...
Jeff Ward
March 1, 2010 09:06 AM
I'm sure it would have been shocking for Jesus to tell his audience to “take up our crosses”. Nevertheless, what a great reminder that there is an “exchange” that happens when we choose to follow Christ – we have to “deny ourselves” and basically give up the things that we think bring us life (money, cars, jobs, house, education, the “american dream”, unhealthy relationship, drugs, or whatever we might turn to) and “take up our cross” and exchange those things that lead ultimately to death (Proverbs 14:12) and follow His will for us. This is something that I struggle with every day. There is part of me that still thinks that I am in control of my own destiny and circumstances and that I know best what I need to do for myself, my family, and my career. However, you’d think after enough failure, I’d finally realize that God’s way is always better. It really boils down to this question – “Do I really trust Jesus?” - Is He really good? Is he really sovereign? Does he really want me to have abundant life (and what is his definition of abundant life)? I remember when I was a kid and I would wear my floaties in the pool and I thought I was Michael Phelps! I had all this freedom and I was really swimming! Now I realize in looking back that real freedom was when I took the floaties off and learned to swim in deeper water. But there is a point where you have to do the very uncomfortable thing – take the floaties off and jump into the deep end of the pool, where your Father stands and says “Jump in! Trust me! I’ll catch you! I promise! And I’ll teach you to swim in the deep end!” Praying that we jump into even deeper water today! Thanks for the devo today Russ!
Billy Washington
March 1, 2010 09:15 AM
Great devo Russ (though the math reference stung me a little). I need that constant reminder to deny myself, focus on and follow the King. Appreciate you and your awesome family.
Vince Yung
March 1, 2010 09:56 AM
Awesome math lesson...er...Biblical insight. As a math teacher you did A+! Aside from the PEMDAS, Please Excuse MyDear AuntSally, 16:24 is also a conditional statement. The second part, "he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." has to happen first before the first part, "If anyone wishes to come after Me". I wish there was a better way, but there's no shortcuts. I have to deny myself and take up my cross daily before I can truly follow Him.
John Rogers
March 1, 2010 10:51 AM
As a person that uses math alot I really liked your way of presenting today's passage. It is basic and it makes alot of sense. I also think the order makes a difference, a big difference. I have lived the difference and have experienced life when it was out of order.
Alicia Dean
March 1, 2010 03:10 PM
Russ, What a neat analogy to explain this passage! LOVE the way you explained this. Thank you!
Allison Koons
March 1, 2010 05:54 PM
"Most people see Jesus as an addition to our lives--that is, He takes what we are and adds to it. But Jesus is actually a multiplier. He multiplies our lives by His factor, which is infinity" So true. Neat to see now two mathematical devos about multiplication. Interesting how every time we choose life or death we also deny life or death....all based on Who's/who's on the throne. Thanks for spurring us on...