Saturday 25 August, 2012
Luke 14:25-35
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even life itself—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. 34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Costly, challenging, requiring great sacrifice and measured intent. Jesus cautions the crowds that following Him is not be something to be taken lightly. His words must have seemed shocking to them. He has their attention! He has my attention!
Jesus is setting priorities before the people – following Him means putting Him first above everyone and everything else. There is to be no confusion – there is no half-hearted following
– it's all or nothing.
All… or nothing…
All… or nothing…
God I'm sorry for giving you less than you ask. My “some” is not enough. You ask for and deserve my all.
Jesus help me keep choosing to give you my all…
Help me sacrifice my own plans and priorities this day…
Help me keep my eyes on You and respond to Your lead as I follow.
Written by Ps. Linda Quinn
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