Disciple

Reading: Genesis 34-36; Luke 14 So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. (Luke 14:33 NLT) Large crowds of people were following Jesus! He was at the peak of his popularity (or notoriety, depending on one’s point of view!). His bold, authoritative teaching, his miracles of healing, the occasional miraculous free lunch—it all combined to draw huge crowds wherever he went. Lately, there were so many people around, people who were there for so many different reasons, it was becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the real Christ-followers and those who were just there for the show.

Jesus said that to be a true disciple, and not just a member of the crowd, would cost you something. In fact, to be a true disciple of Jesus would cost you everything! A long time ago, when I chose to become a follower of Jesus, I gave up everything for him—my own plans and ambitions, the right to decide for myself about how I would live my life—everything. I surrendered my will to his will. One of the interesting and challenging things about being a Christ-follower is that as he leads and I follow, it seems like there’s always one more thing to give up—one more thing I thought didn’t matter. But now, to keep on being a disciple and not just part of the crowd, it has to go. Unfortunately, I sometimes discover that it’s something I gave up for Jesus a long time ago (at least I thought I gave it up!) and somehow I got my grubby little hands on it again. It’s got to go, again! Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) Prayer: Father, Thanks for continuing to challenge and teach me about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, a real Christ-follower. I’ve got so much to learn! I know you’re putting your finger on a couple of things that I’ve given up before. Now there they are again! Please give me grace to let them go and follow Jesus without hesitation or complaining. Amen.