Luke 14:25-33
One day when large groups of people
were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who
comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children,
brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone
who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my
disciple.
“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new
house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you
can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of
money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will
poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
“Or
can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without
first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to
face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he
can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
“Simply
put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans
or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
I have a friend whose
grandfather was told by his Jewish parents that he would no longer be
welcome in their home if he chose Jesus…and he made the heartbreaking
decision to say “Goodbye” to his family. I know someone whose husband
told her, “It’s Him or me.” She chose Jesus…(and for the record, her
husband is still with her)!
I know countless people of all ages
and “positions” who have had to make hard choices between pleasing
someone else or “fitting in”…and following Jesus. I know people who
have lost their jobs because they wouldn’t lie or “cook the books” and
children who have been ridiculed and labeled “Jesus Freaks” because they
chose to honor God with their words and actions rather than go along
with the crowd. And when you are a kid going against the grain with
your peers or your parents…or a spouse or partner standing up to your
significant other and saying, “I choose Jesus over you”…this can be a
truly daunting decision. When you have mouths to feed and bills to pay,
it’s hard to tell your boss, I will not do this because it dishonors
God.
No one ever said being a Christian would be easy. And if
everyone failed to tell you this when you gave your heart and sinful
nature to Jesus, consider yourself told here and now! There will be
days when it seems so much easier to say, “Yeah, whatever!” and move
right along in the groove with everyone else. It’s hard to say “No” to
your friends, family, and co-workers…especially when they can’t seem to
see what all the fuss is about. There are a lot of Christians who are
somewhat “half-baked.” They have given their heart to Jesus and asked
for their sins to be forgiven…but they refuse to give Him everything.
They want to hold certain associations, attitudes and behaviors in
reserve. But you cannot be Jesus’ disciple if you aren’t willing to give
him every single speck of your life…body, mind and soul.
When it comes to Christian discipleship, good enough is simply not good enough!
Where are you still holding out on Jesus today? Where have you failed
to fully surrender to Him? Who – or what – are you putting ahead of
serving Christ completely? Will this be the day that you totally go
“all in” with Him and become His disciple, once and forever? Are you
ready to fall to your knees and get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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