We’re not sure how Jesus was feeling when He said it. Was He sad? Frustrated? Stressed out? Or just lamenting? Whatever the case, it was a heads-up moment for His disciples—a foretaste of what lay ahead for them. In Luke 12:50 Jesus says, “I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!” The Greek word translated constraint in the NIV, synechomai, can mean to compress, compel, perplex, afflict, or preoccupy.

From our vantage point, we know what was “preoccupying” Jesus. Just ahead was the cross—the heaviest of all possible burdens. It was a baptism of suffering that would squeeze every ounce of self-promotion and personal comfort from Him. Yet He was determined to see it through. How blessed we are as a result! Through His sacrifice we’ve obtained salvation and forgiveness for our sin. By putting our faith in Him, we’re justified freely by His grace (Romans 3:22).

Faith in Jesus, however, doesn’t mean we’ll be exempt from any pressure. In Matthew 7:13-14 He tells His disciples “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” This narrow road brings with it certain restrictions that the people on the broad road don’t encounter. But the outcome, Jesus assures us, is worth the investment. The broad road that accommodates fleshly appetites and selfish ambition feels more “free” in the short run, but it leads to destruction (loss). By contrast, those who choose to walk the road with more pressure in the short run will reap the benefits of His resurrection life.

Since only a “few” would travel this narrow road, Jesus’ disciples could expect to feel lonely at times. They would encounter misunderstanding, ridicule, and persecution from the culture around them, just as Jesus did.

As He walked the earth Jesus knew He couldn’t live carelessly if He wanted to complete His mission. There were spiritual enemies trying to distract and derail Him. Disciplines He would need to adopt included prayer, meditating on and obeying Scripture, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, and serving others in love. Living this way is a choice we too must make if we want to be true Jesus followers.

He laid down the terms of discipleship in Matthew 16:24. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Through their relationship with Him, they would share the same sense of constraint and distress as they walked out God’s purpose for their lives. After all, “No servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:16)

Here’s how Charles Spurgeon put it in his devotional Morning and Evening: “Very bitter is the enmity of the world against the people of Christ. Instead of vainly regretting this, let us turn it to account, and since so many are watching for our halting, let this be a special motive for walking very carefully before God. The cross of Christ is in itself an offence to the world; let us take heed that we add no offence of our own. How jealous we should be of ourselves! How rigid with our consciences! In the presence of adversaries who will misrepresent our best deeds and impugn our motives where they cannot censure our actions, how circumspect should we be!”

Jesus left the comfort and glory of heaven to identify with us in our humanity. And now, He wants us to identify ourselves with Him. In 1721 Isaac Watts wrote a hymn that’s been largely forgotten today. In our age of indulgence, his lyrics are a sobering reminder that choosing to follow the Lamb will not always feel good.

1. Am I a soldier of the cross,
   A follow’r of the Lamb?
   And shall I fear to own His cause,
   Or blush to speak His name?
2. Must I be carried to the skies
   On flow’ry beds of ease,
   While others fought to win the prize,
   And sailed through bloody seas?
3. Sure I must fight if I would reign;
   Increase my courage, Lord;
   I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
   Supported by Thy Word.

The life of a soldier is focused on something bigger than himself. While someone’s individual role may be relatively small, it’s still important for each soldier to obediently perform his or her assigned duty. Soldiers aren’t “free spirits” who come and go as they please, because their conduct affects their fellow soldiers, their commanders, and their country’s future. That’s why Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

Being a good soldier of Jesus Christ is not an easy life but it’s immensely satisfying. There’s something wonderful about taking part in an assignment that’s bigger than you that will work for good in the lives of many others. Everything we give in this life out of love to our “commanding officer”—the Lord Jesus—will be richly rewarded. What feels constricting, limiting, uncomfortable, or painful now will be transformed into glory when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom. If we’ve suffered with Him, He promises we’ll reign with Him. We’ll experience for ourselves what Paul wrote in Romans 8:18. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Even on this side of the grave, the squeezed life isn’t all duty and responsibility, of course. Along with the constraints, we enjoy God’s covenant blessings. These include His faithfulness, love, joy, and peace—things the world cannot duplicate. Jesus’ resurrection life is far greater than just surviving physically. In Him, we live life to the full, even when it brings challenges and restrictions. We can confidently follow the advice Paul gave in Colossians 2:6: “Continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” 

Lord Jesus, help me to focus on what’s good in my Christian life, not what I feel I’m missing out on. Enable me to see the narrow road as a privilege—an opportunity to identify with you and share in your mission of mercy as a good soldier of God’s kingdom. Thank you, Lord, for undergoing that baptism that secured my salvation and now enables me to enjoy your companionship wherever I am. May my life never distract others from your power to transform, heal, and bless. To you be all the honor, glory, and praise! Amen.