October 7, 2021

Thursday

Beyond the Call of Duty

Matthew 27: 32-35

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Matthew 16:24

Charles Simeon was converted to Christ Easter Sunday of 1779, while a student at the University of Cambridge. His new enthusiasm for Christ stirred opposition, especially when he was later assigned as rector of the Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge. Both his fellow students and his parishioners scorned him for his newfound testimony.

Simeon wrote, “I strolled forth one day, buffeted and afflicted, with my little Testament in my hand. I prayed earnestly to my God that He would comfort me...from His Word and that, on opening the Book, I should find some text which should sustain me. The first which caught my eye was this: ‘They found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; him they compelled to carry the cross.’ You know, Simon is the same name as Simeon. What a word of instruction was here, a blessed hint for my encouragement!”

Encouraged by that text, Simeon went on to become an evangelistic force in England for years to come. Jesus doesn’t call us to a life of ease and effortlessness. But as the burdens grow, His Word becomes sweeter and His strength sustains us as we serve Him, even beyond the call of duty.

A point to ponder…

To have the cross laid upon me, that I might bear it after Jesus—what a privilege!
Charles Simeon

Read the Bible through in a year

Matthew 13-14

I love you!!!

© 2000-2021 B. Michael Goerlich