(This was first published July 11, 2009)

Purpose is what we are about. Purpose is supposed to be core, supposed to be the thing at the very heart of what we are. Purpose is what we are living for. Purpose is what we would die for.

Jesus starts talking about the rest of his life. He talks about how he will suffer and be killed and will rise again.

And then he says, “if you want to follow me, you’re going to have to die, too. “

Which makes sense.

Jesus is on a mission to save the world. It’s his single-minded focus. It’s the purpose that everything is for. And he’s giving up everything, absolutely everything for that. Dignity. Position. Power. Status. Reputation.

It’s no wonder that Peter told him to stop talking that way.

But, if you are going to save the world, really, what else matters? What else is of any value at all?

When Jesus tells the disciples that they have to deny themselves to follow him, the focus isn’t intended to be on the denial. Massive self-denial, without a purpose, is merely attention-grabbing. The focus is on following, on being part of something that matters beyond all mattering.

If you are going to change the world, of course you quit looking side-to-side, you keep your eyes on what matters. If you are going to change the world, you put down whatever is pointless weight. You pick up the tools that help you work. If  you are going to change the world, how you feel has to be considered as irrelevant. If you are going to change the world, you have to consider yourself as dead.

But if you are going to change the world, I mean really change the world, isn’t it worth anything?

I’m beginning to think that it is.

Jesus did.