SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:25-35
Imagine you are looking for a job, and you go to a information meeting about a sales position.
As they describe the position, you realize they want committed, focused sales people.
The only issue is, you are not that good at sales, in fact you hate selling stuff to people.
What do you do… you assess the situation, and decide against it (hopefully).
Jesus is talking about assessing your readiness for following him (Luke 14:28-32).
He is not looking for sales people, but He is looking for committed, focused people.
To follow Jesus is not just to receive a free gift (anyone could/would line up for that).
To follow Jesus is to accept a new life, a new way of living, a new way of being.
Forgiven, free and filled with the Spirit to live a life of love, compassion, justice, service.
It’s a wonderful life in and of itself, but it is not an easy life in this world.
It may involve going against your family, your friends, or your community; it may lead to ostracism, accusation or even mistreatment.
In a world that thrives on selfishness, the life that Jesus gives us/calls us into is not easy.
What good is a salesperson that doesn’t like sales – they will soon be let go.
What good is salt, if it isn’t salty – it will soon be thrown out.
I suspect that many Christians lined up for the ‘free gift’, but didn’t want the life it involves.
Did you decide to accept the changed life now that Jesus offered, or just the hope of better life after death?
Eternal life begins now; it’s not easy, but it is guaranteed.
Do I still want the position?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You were not trying to discourage the crowds, but to make them realize what following You meant. You are challenging me to consider again whether I really want the position.
Observation/Application
What’s the cost?
Everything!
Jesus must be first for the JOY of the Lord is my strength.
He needs to be before my family.
He needs to be before my daily business.
He needs to be the only one I’ll follow.
There can be none other.
To be a disciple means just that – Jesus is THE ALL in ALL.
Many people followed Him in His day wanting to see more and hear more. They were hungering.
I must do the same today – hungering for Christ my Saviour in all I do and say. He only is the main ingredient of my diet and I must clothe myself each day anew with the fruit of the Spirit.
I need to hear His voice also this day saying to me ‘This is the Way. Walk in it.’ Follow Me.
Not only must I hear His Voice but also read Him daily in His Word – written and spoken.
I must in all things be a follower of the Lamb doing His will.
All for Jesus, all for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Refrain
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways;
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
Refrain
Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.
Refrain
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
Refrain
Oh, what wonder! how amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
Deigns to call me His belovèd,
Lets me rest beneath His wings.
Refrain