09/28/2017
Am I willing to abandon myself to Jesus Christ? Can I put down my own self interests and pick up the cross? If I can't answer "Yes" to these questions then I am confined, at best, to being an onlooker in the audience as Jesus teaches, and not a disciple that follows Him wherever He leads...
We must answer these questions for ourselves before we can answer the ultimate question asked of Jesus regarding our desire to follow Him in discipleship. Is the real question you are wanting to answer to the same one asked by a rich ruler who wanted to inherit eternal life? let's read:
“And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"”
Mark 10:17 ESV
What happens next is something many feel is unreasonable when they first read it. Jesus says something radical to the rich man and, though He loved him, loses him in the process.
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."”
Mark 10:21 ESV
The rich ruler who heard these words of Jesus was devastated. He was being asked to give up everything on earth that had defined him, his wealth, his properties, and those he ruled over. To do what Jesus asked he must go from the top of the social structure of society to the bottom. In his eyes the price was too high, and he was being asked to do something that would effect not only Him but his entire family. Can you imagine the reaction of a king if his son, the prince, sold his entire kingdom and walked away to follow after a dream? Well this is what the young ruler was facing.
“Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"”
Mark 10:22-23 ESV
Jesus asks us the hard questions because following Him requires something of us that is incredibly difficult... In the case of the rich young ruler it was his wealth, but what is it that defines you? Is it your talent, your skill, your good looks, your physical strength, your pastorship, or how about... your family? What about you stands in the way of total surrender to Jesus Christ and the Holy Father?
“"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:26-27 ESV
Following Jesus doesn't require the same price of each of us, but it does necessitate that we give up our selves before we can pick up our cross. Hmmm.... maybe you hadn't noticed that before. We are often taught in church that we must pick up The Cross of Jesus, but that isn't what Jesus said; He said our OWN cross. Each of us has his own cross and this is why Paul instructed the Philippians to seek out their own salvation.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
As we seek our own salvation we must look into ourselves and search out those things that keep us from surrendering our very selves to God. Then, once found, we need to move them out of the way. For the rich ruler it was position and wealth; for a singer it might be performing, for a pastor it might be his congregation or preconceived notions of faith; and if it is our family that stands between us and God then that too must be dealt with. What is it for you, or do you feel ready now?
I have always marveled at the selection of the original twelve disciples. There was no reservation when called... they dropped everything and followed Jesus.
“And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
Matthew 4:19-20 ESV
Are you ready to follow Jesus?
“And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”
Matthew 4:21-22 ESV
So maybe you are ready to follow Jesus now, but in searching yourself you had better be certain, lest you deceive yourself. Don't use rationalization to mask what Jesus asks you to lay down, and never find that when He calls you that you must first pack a bag with those things you feel are necessary before you can answer His call... leave your boat and follow him! Leave you baggage behind.
“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”
1 John 1:6 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the completeness of your provision and for the call of Jesus that leads me to drop everything that separates me from you. I thank you for the hard decisions that carve away the encumbrances in my life and allow me to follow your will without hesitation. I pray, Father, that I leave no stone unturned as I search my life for those chains that bind me, and prevent my answering to your voice. Let nothing stand before me but Jesus Christ, and let nothing in my life become a god that deceives me and keeps me from you. Everything should work together for good as I answer your call Lord. Call me Father that I can find you and serve in your presence forever; heir and joint heir with Jesus.
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:27-28 ESV
Rich Forbes