Bible Readings: Luke 9:21-26; Psalm 86:1-7 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Luke 9:23-25 Are you all in? There are certain experiences in life that one can only have if they are all in. Very few, if any, have become professional athletes without tremendous sacrifice and moments of decision when they choose the sport over everything else. And very few, if any, have achieved excellence in anything that they have not had to sacrifice for. “Whoever wants to be my disciple….” Jesus invites us to model our lives after him. There is not one who has ever lived more excellent in everything good, right, and just, than Jesus. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Resurrection Life. If we want to be his disciple, then nothing less than “all in” will do. Everything we have been given and everything we do must serve this ultimate purpose, to follow Jesus who reminds us at Gethsemane, the “spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Are you all in? Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. Psalm 86:1-4