Every now and then, I will see or read something which makes me change the way I think of things. Lots of times while studying the bible, I will re-read a passage I know like the back of my hand. On certain moments, I will read it and discover something I might not have been aware of previously. Or, during a bible study someone can bring up a point you never thought of before. Maybe you might read a book which makes you think harder on subjects you never did before.
I recently read a book by David Platt called Radical. It was a thought-provoking experience to say the least. There were things which I agreed with the author on and in other places I disagreed with him. Overall, it showed me a few things that we just accept as fact or never gave a lot of thought to. Sometimes, things are revealed that can be mind-blowing. Part of it is my take on evengelism and what Jesus really means when he says "Follow Me".
What does it mean to follow Jesus? What does that truly look like? What do you feel it means to follow? Have we simplified it in a way to make it more palatable to the masses? Do we make exceptions in our following?
This is not to say no one has this right. That I came to some revelation we have all been missing. I always end up with more questions than answers. Which is good - if I have more questions, I am more willing to look into the Word and get the answers I am seeking.
While reading, I was struck by what Jesus is really meaning and what the cost is in following Him. Especially when looking at Jesus' interactions at the end of Luke 9. I go into evangelism (and maybe we all do) with a certain playbook. We invite people to church, we all say a few certain prayers, and we meet others and talk to them. Almost like we get an instruction manual on how best to evangelize. When reading these passages I am struck with the thought "Jesus? What are you doing? This isn't what it says in the evangelism manual? You're doing this all wrong!!!"
During this passage, it appears Jesus is talking people out of following Him. An anti-evangelism message if you will. One that leaves you scratching your head. But, maybe, just maybe it reveals more of what it means to be a follower (Hint: I think it does).
The first man approaches Jesus and says "I will follow you wherever you go"
Jesus responds in verse 58, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head"
Jesus is essentially stating that he has no home, and as followers we should expect to be homeless. Does this mean that we won't have shelter or lose our house? My answer is maybe, maybe not. I also think Jesus is showing us that we will be going places outside our comfort zones. Away from our "homes". As part of his ministry, we may end up in places where we are essentially homeless. The cost of following Jesus may send us to places we would never expect.
Jesus then tells another to follow Him, but the man replies "First let me go and bury my father". To which Jesus replies, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God"
Ouch!!! I really don't think I want Jesus telling me that. It seems very cold and unloving at first glance. Is Jesus to be taken literally here? Or does he mean something more? We can say to ourselves "Jesus isn't telling us to abandon our family, or disrespect our father. He must mean something figuratively" What if he isn't? That's something deep to ponder. I wonder sometimes what my real reaction would be if Jesus said those exact words to me.
The final man wants to say goodbye to his family. Jesus responds, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the service in the kingdom of God"
OK Double Ouch!!! Now he wants me to abandon my family without saying goodbye? He's calling me to be homeless, abandon my family, and let others bury the dead? Sounds harsh. The first instinct is to say "Hey Jesus, that's not how evangelism works. We want to attract people, not scare them away. What books have you been reading Jesus?"
Jesus does this a lot in the Gospels. He tells a group, "if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers & sisters - yes even his own life - he cannot be my disciple"
He adds "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple"
That may be pretty scary or uncomfortable to hear. It may be the way we think evangelism shouldn't go. But it is a true message that needs to be shared.
Jesus is calling us to an extreme following. Give up everything we find comfort in and follow him. He is calling us to abandon our own dreams, plans, and comforts to be replaced by his plans. He is telling us that to follow him, we will love him in such a way, it looks like we hate everything else in comparison. Our devotion, our hearts, and our minds have to be of a singular focus - and that focus is on him. There are risks and uncertainties in following Him in terms of what we consider secure in our lives. The things we consider secure: our families, our possessions, and our careers pale in comparison to what the Lord offers. It's hard to do. We all sin. We all struggle with placing Jesus first in our lives. Even the disciples and the best Christians you can think of struggled and fell short as well at times.
But that's what being called is. It is an extreme change to our way of thinking and the way we live our lives. It doesn't mean we won't face tough times during our walk with him. Almost of his disciples would be martyred and all experienced some kind of persecution. This sinful world will fight back at us. That is to be expected. Jesus faced it, his disciples faced it. We, too, will face it.
The good news is that the Lord will see us through it.
I recently read a book by David Platt called Radical. It was a thought-provoking experience to say the least. There were things which I agreed with the author on and in other places I disagreed with him. Overall, it showed me a few things that we just accept as fact or never gave a lot of thought to. Sometimes, things are revealed that can be mind-blowing. Part of it is my take on evengelism and what Jesus really means when he says "Follow Me".
What does it mean to follow Jesus? What does that truly look like? What do you feel it means to follow? Have we simplified it in a way to make it more palatable to the masses? Do we make exceptions in our following?
This is not to say no one has this right. That I came to some revelation we have all been missing. I always end up with more questions than answers. Which is good - if I have more questions, I am more willing to look into the Word and get the answers I am seeking.
While reading, I was struck by what Jesus is really meaning and what the cost is in following Him. Especially when looking at Jesus' interactions at the end of Luke 9. I go into evangelism (and maybe we all do) with a certain playbook. We invite people to church, we all say a few certain prayers, and we meet others and talk to them. Almost like we get an instruction manual on how best to evangelize. When reading these passages I am struck with the thought "Jesus? What are you doing? This isn't what it says in the evangelism manual? You're doing this all wrong!!!"
During this passage, it appears Jesus is talking people out of following Him. An anti-evangelism message if you will. One that leaves you scratching your head. But, maybe, just maybe it reveals more of what it means to be a follower (Hint: I think it does).
The first man approaches Jesus and says "I will follow you wherever you go"
Jesus responds in verse 58, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head"
Jesus is essentially stating that he has no home, and as followers we should expect to be homeless. Does this mean that we won't have shelter or lose our house? My answer is maybe, maybe not. I also think Jesus is showing us that we will be going places outside our comfort zones. Away from our "homes". As part of his ministry, we may end up in places where we are essentially homeless. The cost of following Jesus may send us to places we would never expect.
Jesus then tells another to follow Him, but the man replies "First let me go and bury my father". To which Jesus replies, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God"
Ouch!!! I really don't think I want Jesus telling me that. It seems very cold and unloving at first glance. Is Jesus to be taken literally here? Or does he mean something more? We can say to ourselves "Jesus isn't telling us to abandon our family, or disrespect our father. He must mean something figuratively" What if he isn't? That's something deep to ponder. I wonder sometimes what my real reaction would be if Jesus said those exact words to me.
The final man wants to say goodbye to his family. Jesus responds, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the service in the kingdom of God"
OK Double Ouch!!! Now he wants me to abandon my family without saying goodbye? He's calling me to be homeless, abandon my family, and let others bury the dead? Sounds harsh. The first instinct is to say "Hey Jesus, that's not how evangelism works. We want to attract people, not scare them away. What books have you been reading Jesus?"
Jesus does this a lot in the Gospels. He tells a group, "if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers & sisters - yes even his own life - he cannot be my disciple"
He adds "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple"
That may be pretty scary or uncomfortable to hear. It may be the way we think evangelism shouldn't go. But it is a true message that needs to be shared.
Jesus is calling us to an extreme following. Give up everything we find comfort in and follow him. He is calling us to abandon our own dreams, plans, and comforts to be replaced by his plans. He is telling us that to follow him, we will love him in such a way, it looks like we hate everything else in comparison. Our devotion, our hearts, and our minds have to be of a singular focus - and that focus is on him. There are risks and uncertainties in following Him in terms of what we consider secure in our lives. The things we consider secure: our families, our possessions, and our careers pale in comparison to what the Lord offers. It's hard to do. We all sin. We all struggle with placing Jesus first in our lives. Even the disciples and the best Christians you can think of struggled and fell short as well at times.
But that's what being called is. It is an extreme change to our way of thinking and the way we live our lives. It doesn't mean we won't face tough times during our walk with him. Almost of his disciples would be martyred and all experienced some kind of persecution. This sinful world will fight back at us. That is to be expected. Jesus faced it, his disciples faced it. We, too, will face it.
The good news is that the Lord will see us through it.
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