Are you really dead to self?

Who is self?

Who did the disciples consider themselves to be? From their remarks on who is the greatest (An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest – Luke 9:46), the mother of Zebedee’s sons who asked for them to sit on both sides of Jesus when He became king (Matthew 20:20-22) and Peter's attitude of self importance (Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” – Matthew 26:33) we can see that self was initially first and foremost to them. 

    

Even though Jesus did all the miracles and often spoke of His heritage, they still perceived Him from an earthly perspective and because of this perception they sought position in Jesus' expected hierarchy. Self was first on the minds of the disciples until Jesus died for them. This shook them so hard that they went into hiding, not really knowing what to do.

It was only after the Holy Spirit was poured out on them that they understood the spiritual significance of Jesus' purpose for coming to earth. This together with the hours of training they received from Jesus caused a miracle in them - self died. Thereafter only one thing mattered - the Kingdom of God and its King.

Has Jesus died for you? No, that answer came too quickly. After all the teaching the disciples received about what would happen to Jesus, they were still very much focused on self, until the reason why Jesus died and resurrected became reality for each one personally. The stark realization that that which they witnessed during the crucifixion was actually for them personally, made them painfully aware of how petty their self centred attitude was in the light of Jesus' display of ultimate selflessness. If you had to literally stand at the cross during the crucifixion and became aware of your selfishness in the light of Jesus' selflessness, would you have changed?

Only when the Holy Spirit reveals to you the reality of Jesus' sacrifice for you personally, will self die in you and will you walk in the selflessness and power of Jesus. John the Baptist who was already rock bottom in terms of material goods and social status declared that Jesus had to become more and he less.

I ask again; has Jesus died for you in the sense that you are so awed by it that you will gladly shift self out of the way so Jesus could shine instead. Are you so stunned by His sacrifice that you are ashamed of your attitude in life?

Holy Spirit, please fill me with an awareness of Jesus' selflessness so I can become like Him.