If Only I'd Known...

“‘The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders

and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third

day.’ Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me,

let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”

{Luke 9:22-23}

In many English Bibles, verses 22 and 23 of Luke 9 are separated by a section break. It wasn’t until I was preparing to post this poem that I realized that, in each of the gospels, Jesus foretells His death and resurrection immediately before giving the exhortation to take up one’s cross and follow Him. This sequence is significant in that it both displays what it may cost us to follow Jesus and reminds us that our earthly hardships pale when compared to the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice that resulted in our salvation.

I wrote this poem one night after returning from a community potluck at Living Hope Ministries in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota. Throughout my years of serving at Living Hope, the Lord has allowed me to glimpse both His matchless power and compassionate care for people. Ministry is not always easy; in fact, it is often very hard and painful. But as Christ’s followers, we have the immense privilege of following our Savior wherever He leads us as we look forward to the day our suffering is no more and we dwell with Him in glory (Romans 8:18).

If only I’d known what Jesus meant…

When He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me”—

For His way was torture and death on a tree.

It was scourging and mocking, slander and lies,

A “follower” of His who put on a disguise;

It was throngs of sick people in need of His care,

The sins of the world that He Himself had to bear;

Attacks from the Devil to give up and give in,

Insults from Pharisees, accusations of sin;

It was hunger, exhaustion, heartache and tears,

Leaving the glories of heaven for thirty-three years.

I look now on my time, and I see such great need;

As Jesus proclaimed, the harvest is plentiful indeed.

I see people who know not the love God has shown

Nor that Jesus has died so to make them His own.

Still enslaved in their sin, they think all hope is lost,

For no one has asked them to gaze at the cross.

They are broken and crushed and in such deep despair

And know not of the Father’s compassionate care.

There’s a paradox here, for this they do not know,

Yet Christ, our example, has called us to go,

To make known the Gospel to the ends of the earth,

To proclaim God’s salvation, call men to new birth.

To show people they’re loved and adored by the King,

To call them to give Christ their everything

And show them their Hope is grounded and true

That God may transform them and make them anew.

If this is our calling, why are we not bold?

Why is God’s story so often untold?

When faced with such great need, why do we cower

When we know we have access to the Spirit’s great power?

We let fear overtake us instead of looking to Christ

And entrusting Him with both our soul and our life;

We love comfort and plenty; we turn a blind eye

When Jesus’ response was to suffer and die!

If we are His followers, why shrink back in fear

When all we can lose are the fleeting things here?

Oh my soul, there is need; now just look up and see—

My Christianity is not about me!

It’s about Christ and His glory in saving the lost,

Ever drawing sinners to the foot of His cross.

It’s about hearts that were broken and stricken with sin

Being brought back to life, given a chance to begin.

It’s about praise being offered to the Lamb that was slain

Through the salvation of sinners in Christ Jesus’ name.

“Follow Me,” are His words, oh so gentle yet strong

For He knows it means sacrifice all our lives long…

Yet it also means joy, for this Jesus attained,

And one day forever He will rule and reign.

But reign over whom?  This is where we come in.

Though we cannot heal hearts that are muddied with sin,

Yet we are ambassadors making known Jesus’ Name

Telling all the good news that Jesus Christ came,

Showing love and humility as Jesus has done,

That they see not us, but God’s Only Son.

Is this painful? Yes, often, for this is Christ’s way;

As His servants, to suffer with Him is to obey.

So hear Jesus’ words as He speaks them to you:

To follow Him amidst hardship is what He asks you to do.

And yet, in all things, know that He will provide,
If only you’ll choose in your God to abide.

His kingdom will come here on earth and above,

And the nations will know of the Father’s great love

If we chose to be clay in the Potter’s strong hand,

And make known His glory in this sin-stricken land.

If only I’d known… I can say this no more;

I see now in part what we were made for:

To tell of Christ Jesus and all that He’s done

And proclaim to the peoples the victory He’s won!

To follow Christ always, knowing we will be tried,

Yet trusting all the while that He is our guide.

He who saved us will keep us; we’ve nothing to fear,

For Jesus, our Savior and Healer is here.

Oh Lord, may You truly be the One that we praise;

May we live for You willingly all of our days.