SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:25-35
Imagine you are looking for a job, and you go to a information meeting about a sales position.
As they describe the position, you realize they want committed, focused sales people.
The only issue is, you are not that good at sales, in fact you hate selling stuff to people.
What do you do… you assess the situation, and decide against it (hopefully).
Jesus is talking about assessing your readiness for following him (Luke 14:28-32).
He is not looking for sales people, but He is looking for committed, focused people.
To follow Jesus is not just to receive a free gift (anyone could/would line up for that).
To follow Jesus is to accept a new life, a new way of living, a new way of being.
Forgiven, free and filled with the Spirit to live a life of love, compassion, justice, service.
It’s a wonderful life in and of itself, but it is not an easy life in this world.
It may involve going against your family, your friends, or your community; it may lead to ostracism, accusation or even mistreatment.
In a world that thrives on selfishness, the life that Jesus gives us/calls us into is not easy.
What good is a salesperson that doesn’t like sales – they will soon be let go.
What good is salt, if it isn’t salty – it will soon be thrown out.
I suspect that many Christians lined up for the ‘free gift’, but didn’t want the life it involves.
Did you decide to accept the changed life now that Jesus offered, or just the hope of better life after death?
Eternal life begins now; it’s not easy, but it is guaranteed.
Do I still want the position?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You were not trying to discourage the crowds, but to make them realize what following You meant. You are challenging me to consider again whether I really want the position.