COULD ALADDIN BE JESUS? I THINK SO AND HERE’S WHY
‘Jesus said to all of his followers, “If you truly desire to be my disciple, you must disown your life completely, embrace my ‘cross’ as your own, and surrender to my ways. ‘ Luke 9:23
The word “disciple” at it’s root means student. Most will say disciple means follower, which is true. However, the word “student” has so much more life and action to it. A student of Jesus and his teachings paints a picture of one who is searching, questioning and deconstructing everything.
So when this verse says, “disown your life completely and embrace my cross as your own,” I like to think of it as a student would.
What does disowning my life and taking up His cross actually mean?
First off, disowning simply means “to refuse to aknowledge any connection with.” So basically, this verse is saying, ‘For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ‘ Matthew 16:25
It’s like when the Rich Young ruler roles up to Jesus thinking he had figured out the world’s problems — so he hits up Jesus with, “what else must I do?”
We all know what happens next when Jesus says, “sell all your possessions and follow me.” To which, The Rich Young Ruler walks off sad as he has many possessions.
What does disowning my life look like?
For me, I’ve got to get my mind thinking like Jesus — which is hard. I start with what I listen to and who I listen to. The voices around me are the playbook to my soul. If I can get these voices right — everything else comes together.
I also have to eliminate striving. As a very competitive person — winning is in my DNA — in everything I do. However, winning by striving is an area that can take me off the path of trusting God and on the path of trusting me. And that will f me up every time.
I can only control what I can control. Many things in life are just out of my reach and there’s nothing I can do about it. When I try to control too much — I get frustrated and ultimately my trust is leaning on me rather than on God — and that will f me up.
Disowning your life can feel like your losing your life. Losing your life can feel depressing and fill you with self doubt. To be honest — you can feel like total 💩.
However, this verse to me paints the perfect picture of Aladdin singing, “A Whole New World.” Read the lyrics — they are absolutely fantastic for this new world of hope and dreams.
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess
Now, when did you last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet rideA whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us, “No”
Or where to go
Or say we’re only dreamingA whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I’m way up here
It’s crystal clear
That now I’m in a whole new world with you
(Now I’m in a whole new world with you)Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond skyA whole new world
(Don’t you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see
(Hold your breath, it gets better)
I’m like a shooting star
I’ve come so far
I can’t go back to where I used to beA whole new world
(Every turn, a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue
(Every moment, red-letter)
I’ll chase them anywhere
There’s time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with youA whole new world
A whole new world
That’s where we’ll be
That’s where we’ll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me
This is what I imagine Jesus is trying to get through to us. He’s got this insane new world. If we haven’t seen or experienced it — it seems impossible and too dreamy.
Then He gives us this dad line in Isaiah 55. You know the line when your a kid asking for something — your dad’s like … “one day you’ll understand.” This bit in Isaiah 55 is just that.
‘“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord . “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ Isaiah 55:8–9
So when we are instructed to “embrace the cross” of Christ — I think we are looking at it with a negative lens. I know for me, when I read it — I’m like, “awe man, I have to give this up, live a boring life, read my Bible all day and have lame friends. Taking up the cross of Christ looks like I have to live in poverty wearing Jordache shoes.”
That’s NOT AT ALL what this verse is saying. There is an adventure with Jesus. It’s full of mystery, wonder and day by day trust. We don’t know what can or will happen but as we put our faith in Him — anything is possible.
The difference is — the way we arrive at the impossible is never the way we imagined. If we could imagine it — we could do it and would not need God. And, God isn’t creating a life for you where He isn’t involved.
So, when you take up your cross — think of it like a magic carpet ride. A ride where He can show you the world. A place of wonder and new horizons. This is what following Jesus is really like — it’s our lack of creativity and trust that holds us back.
Why wouldn’t God want to show us the world that He created?
