09/25/2024
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).
The Scripture tells us of a fellow who said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go” (Luke 9:57). Often times, we hear people make similar statements, “Lord, I will do whatever you want me to do” and thirty minutes after saying that, they are walking in offense; offended that their pastor corrected them; offended at their spouse over trivial issues. When this fellow said to Jesus, “I will follow You wherever you go,” Jesus knew right away that his heart was in the wrong place. This fellow was only interested in the fame that came with being Jesus' disciple but had no desire for the process of discipleship. Just like so many today who want to be popular without giving themselves to the process of discipleship and stewardship. Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Luke 9:58).” In simple terms, Jesus was saying, "If you are looking for overnight fame, I don’t offer that." I can imagine that this man walked away knowing that he was unwilling to pay the price or discipleship. Then Jesus turned to another and said, “Follow Me.” But the man responded, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." And Jesus gave a shocking response. He said, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). You may wonder, "What is wrong with one taking care of some family business before following Jesus?" You may even be tempted to accuse Jesus of being insensitive and lacking sympathy. But I'll tell you one thing; If being a disciple of Jesus has not cost you anything, I'd strongly urge you to evaluate whether or not you are on the right path, because walking in the path of God will always come at a cost.
Like, I often say, never subject the wisdom of God to human reasoning. God doesn’t think like a man and He will never succumb to the thinking patterns of men. The God that said "follow Me" already considered that you had some family business to attend to; yet, His call required your immediate obedience. In other words, there is nothing that should come between you and God's instructions to you. I have seen so many miss out and lose their God-assignments because of their family business. Saints, somethings can wait; your family business can wait, but the instructions of God are time-bound. Mary said to Jesus’ disciples in John 2:5, “Whatever He says to you, do it!” In other words, don’t consider the cost; do it quickly! If God says, forgive, then do it quickly! If He asks you to minister to a colleague at work, do it quickly! Whatever He tells you to do, do it quickly, before doubt comes in. The fellow who had the excuse of wanting to bury his father missed out on an opportunity to have his father raised back to life by placing his father's burial as a condition for his obedience. Martha made the same mistake when Jesus came to visit her and her siblings. She was so busy taking care of family business, that she shoved off listening to what Jesus had to say. She must have forgotten that Jesus fed five thousand men, not counting women and children from a young lad's lunch.
Saints, the Lord is calling for radical obedience. When Peter asked Jesus what the gain was for those who followed Him recklessly or who were radical with their obedience, Jesus said, “… I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come” (Luke 18:28-30). In other words, the cost of your obedience pales in comparison to what you'd get in return. I like to say that your obedience to God will always bring you more than you bargained for. Serving God will come at a cost, but the gain it brings will more than double whatever you lost. So, don't hold back. Rise up and serve! The next time you go to church, ask how you can make a difference.
God bless you.
Faith Filled Confession
Father in the name of the Lord Jesus, teach me to listen to your instructions today. I have no desire to walk contrary to your purpose and destiny for my life. Have your way today. In Jesus name. Amen!
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