The Rigors Of Following Jesus
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God”.
Luke 9:60
In Luke 9:23 Jesus made it clear that becoming his disciple involves self-denial—taking up your cross every day and following him.
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He never guaranteed five-star accommodations. Sometimes he asked his followers to oppose social customs and traditions. He expected undivided allegiance.
The three men Jesus talked with in Luke 9 all needed to learn that comfort, social acceptance and even family ties become secondary when Jesus is supreme. Matthew Henry explains.
WALK WITH MATTHEW HENRY
“Our religion teaches us to show piety at home and to honor our parents. But we must not make these an excuse from our duty to God.
“If the nearest and dearest relation we have in the world stands in our way to keep us from Christ, it is necessary that we have a zeal that will make us forget that one.
“The disciple is called to be a minister, and therefore must not entangle himself with the affairs of this world (see 2 Timothy 2:4). And it is a rule that, whenever Christ calls us to any duty, we must not consult with flesh and blood (see Galatians 1:15-16).
“No excuses must be admitted against a present obedience to the call of Christ.”
WALK CLOSER TO GOD
Physical fitness dominates the activities of many today. But spiritual fitness is far more crucial to the life of the Christian, for when Christ calls you to become his disciple, he summons you to a life of labor not leisure.
Discipleship is likened to the rigors of being a soldier, an athlete and a hardworking farmer (see 2 Timothy 2:3-6). That means being free from distractions, fit for action and steadfast in your labors.
If flabbiness rather than fitness characterizes your Christian life, perhaps you need to exchange a few excuses for some exercise in the service of your Lord.
