What does it mean to be worthy of Jesus? How much do you have to achieve in order to be confident that you have done enough to live in a way that is acceptable? How much knowledge should you acquire? How regular do your prayers need to be and at what level of reverence? How many miracles do you need to perform? How many people should you raise from the dead?

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10:38

Jesus doesn’t ask for any of that. That would be too easy. He wants you to be willing to be executed for his sake. He wants loyalty and faithfulness under pressure, pressure from the outside. Threats to your life ought to be expected, in fact, you should participate in your own execution. Drag your cross to the roadside hill so that everyone can see you die for him.

But he won’t be the one to kill you. He’s the one who brings people back from the dead. He’s the one who heals. He’s the one who fervently prays for you. He’s the one who knows everything you’re going through, because he’s been there too. He’s the one who gets all the hard work done, who gives us his power to be who we ought to be.

Worthiness is nothing short of being a follower of Jesus, even to the cross.

Ethan Kirl