Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living". As Jesus was traveling great multitudes went with Him, pursuing for various reasons I'm sure. It was time for them to count the cost of following Him, to examine their life and relationship to Him. The essence of discipleship, he told them, is giving Him first place. Jesus begins with explaining that they must forsake all one's family and then carry His cross. Not literally but in terms of first love, rejection, and suffering. One must be ready to be rejected by those who do not honor Jesus and suffer humiliation for His sake. He uses the illustration of a man building a tower and of a king going to war. His final comparison of discipleship is to salt with saltiness...meaning that an ineffective commitment means being cast aside...not fit for use. Remaining useful to God means remaining faithful to Him. As we travel this Lenten journey of examination this portion of scriptures seems particularly relevant...am I counting the costs...forsaking all...willing to suffer rejection for Him. We must count the cost to be a disciple of Jesus, that certainly is a life worth living.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Discipleship
Luke 14:25-35
Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living". As Jesus was traveling great multitudes went with Him, pursuing for various reasons I'm sure. It was time for them to count the cost of following Him, to examine their life and relationship to Him. The essence of discipleship, he told them, is giving Him first place. Jesus begins with explaining that they must forsake all one's family and then carry His cross. Not literally but in terms of first love, rejection, and suffering. One must be ready to be rejected by those who do not honor Jesus and suffer humiliation for His sake. He uses the illustration of a man building a tower and of a king going to war. His final comparison of discipleship is to salt with saltiness...meaning that an ineffective commitment means being cast aside...not fit for use. Remaining useful to God means remaining faithful to Him. As we travel this Lenten journey of examination this portion of scriptures seems particularly relevant...am I counting the costs...forsaking all...willing to suffer rejection for Him. We must count the cost to be a disciple of Jesus, that certainly is a life worth living.
Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living". As Jesus was traveling great multitudes went with Him, pursuing for various reasons I'm sure. It was time for them to count the cost of following Him, to examine their life and relationship to Him. The essence of discipleship, he told them, is giving Him first place. Jesus begins with explaining that they must forsake all one's family and then carry His cross. Not literally but in terms of first love, rejection, and suffering. One must be ready to be rejected by those who do not honor Jesus and suffer humiliation for His sake. He uses the illustration of a man building a tower and of a king going to war. His final comparison of discipleship is to salt with saltiness...meaning that an ineffective commitment means being cast aside...not fit for use. Remaining useful to God means remaining faithful to Him. As we travel this Lenten journey of examination this portion of scriptures seems particularly relevant...am I counting the costs...forsaking all...willing to suffer rejection for Him. We must count the cost to be a disciple of Jesus, that certainly is a life worth living.
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