Sunday 09 September 2007
- Bible Book:
- Luke
"Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, 'Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple'". (v.25-27)
Background
Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem and to his death bycrucifixion on the cross, but the crowds who were with him thoughthe was on his way to establish an earthly kingdom. With the mostvivid language Jesus declares that those who follow him mustrecognise that the way ahead will be costly, obedience to God has aprice and ideas of earthly glory and power must be set aside infavour of possible suffering and even death.
Nothing must get in the way of love for God.
When Jesus tells us to hate our closest and dearest relations orfriends we are not to take this literally. Jesus means that lovefor others must pale into insignificance compared with the lovethat we are to have toward God. If we put love of others above loveof God it is unlikely that we will truly fulfil what it is that Godrequires of us particularly when the going gets tough.
Therefore it is important that we consider the cost of followingJesus before we commence the journey with him. Just as a buildermust weigh up whether he has enough money to complete the building,or the general enough soldiers to win the battle, we must realisethe cost of following Jesus.
To Ponder
Who or what honestly comes first in your life atthe moment?
Have you ever felt that obedience to God hasinvolved sacrificing something you hold dear? If not, why do youthink you have never experienced such a conflict?