Cost of Following

The Christian Community Comes Alive
Seeds of New Growth

From Derbe to Philippi

Matthew 8:18-22  The Message

^18-19 When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said.

²⁰ Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”
²¹ Another follower said, “Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father’s funeral to take care of.”

²² Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.”

 

For Reflection 

Following Jesus is more than just believing.  Following Jesus is more than an intellectual understanding of the Gospel.  Following Jesus is more than a sometimes thing.  Following Jesus is an "all in" commitment. Following Jesus is sacrificing your life in the material world.  Following Jesus is a courageous, unreasonable challenge to the world as is.  Following Jesus is not a way to enhance our personal story, but rather, a way to participate in God's story.

Pray

for the wisdom to participate in God's strategy for human reconciliation. Pray for the courage to follow Christ, the teacher.  Pray for the radical trust sacrificing the common place requires.