EPISODE · Jul 26, 2025 · 18 MIN
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me | John Piper
from Reformed Thinking · host Edison Wu
Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me"Following Jesus" is a timeless and universal command that extends far beyond physically walking with Him during His earthly ministry. After His ascension, it requires a profound commitment and spiritual and practical alignment with His enduring mission.Essentially, it means joining Jesus in what He came to do: to seek and save the lost, call sinners to repentance, offer abundant life, and gather a people in allegiance to Him for His Father’s glory. There are no neutral followers; one must actively participate in His mission.This path carries significant costs, which Jesus explicitly outlined, urging followers to "count the cost." It involves sharing in His suffering, emphasizing self-denial and taking up one’s cross. This joyful suffering demonstrates that Jesus is more valuable than all earthly rewards, showing the world that a follower's heart is set on an eternal fortune.Following Jesus also causes "ruptures" in various relationships: with people, possessions, and vocation. Allegiance to Jesus must be of supreme importance, surpassing even immediate family bonds, which can sometimes appear as "hate" to the world. It means everything one possesses is totally at Jesus’s disposal, preventing material wealth from hindering radical obedience. For some, it may mean a risky departure from their current vocation, while for others, it entails living out radical love within their existing profession.Despite these demanding costs and tribulation, following Jesus is ultimately "worth it." The suffering is temporary, and pleasure in Jesus is eternal. Those who lose their life for His sake will find it, receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Even along the challenging road, joy abounds because of Jesus's constant presence, leading to a great reward in heaven and a life filled with light.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730
What this episode covers
Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me"Following Jesus" is a timeless and universal command that extends far beyond physically walking with Him during His earthly ministry. After His ascension, it requires a profound commitment and spiritual and practical alignment with His enduring mission.Essentially, it means joining Jesus in what He came to do: to seek and save the lost, call sinners to repentance, offer abundant life, and gather a people in allegiance to Him for His Father’s glory. There are no neutral followers; one must actively participate in His mission.This path carries significant costs, which Jesus explicitly outlined, urging followers to "count the cost." It involves sharing in His suffering, emphasizing self-denial and taking up one’s cross. This joyful suffering demonstrates that Jesus is more valuable than all earthly rewards, showing the world that a follower's heart is set on an eternal fortune.Following Jesus also causes "ruptures" in various relationships: with people, possessions, and vocation. Allegiance to Jesus must be of supreme importance, surpassing even immediate family bonds, which can sometimes appear as "hate" to the world. It means everything one possesses is totally at Jesus’s disposal, preventing material wealth from hindering radical obedience. For some, it may mean a risky departure from their current vocation, while for others, it entails living out radical love within their existing profession.Despite these demanding costs and tribulation, following Jesus is ultimately "worth it." The suffering is temporary, and pleasure in Jesus is eternal. Those who lose their life for His sake will find it, receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Even along the challenging road, joy abounds because of Jesus's constant presence, leading to a great reward in heaven and a life filled with light.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730
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Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me | John Piper
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