PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 14:25-25
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He will send a delegation… and will ask for terms of peace.” (Luke 14:32)
As I prayed through this section I tried to hear these words as gracious words.
Is it possible that Jesus knows what trials are coming for those who are with him?
He sees the large crowds and knows that most of them are not ready for that.
They’ve taken the bold step of following Jesus, but in reality are not up to it.
Maybe Jesus is urging them to slow down, think it through and not dive in yet.
He is not rejecting them outright, but releasing them from this stage of his mission.
‘Be honest, admit you are not ready for this, and ask for terms of peace.’
To be totally honest, I am not strong enough to be this kind of radical disciple.
And Jesus knows that; and maybe he is OK with me being honest and stepping back.
In time I can grow stronger with his Spirit, more enabled to take on more.
Is Jesus giving me permission to come to him in weakness and say I’m not ready yet?
Our witness for Jesus is undermined when we claim to be radical (salty) but are not.
Better to admit to being a weak Jesus follower than pretend to be a strong one.
Jesus accepts me as I am and works with me from there – but I need to start by being honest.
PRAYER
Lord, if I had been there that day when you said this I would have asked for terms of peace. I admit that I am a weak Jesus follower, and I am willing to start there and grow with your help.
I got to be all in – I need to have the spirit empowering me – how can I be salty, how can I be enough to meet the challenge – I can’t unless I’m committed to follow – to listen to the Spirit’s prompting – knowing when to invite and when to compel – to use all my faculties, talents and abilities and the resources that the Lord has entrusted to us – our home, our vehicles are to be tools – to help invite/compel others to the kingdom. How can I bear fruit without being ‘all in’ when it comes to the spirit? I admit I’ve got to be honest and genuine – there is still too much of life that I cling to. Jesus don’t give up on me.
His will or mine? The Lord’s prayer tells us that His will be done and that involves sacrifice. Jesus is first each day, all day. WWJD? I need to see my daily living for Him through my ‘Jesus glasses’. My love for Him must compel me to put Him first in all I say and do. And when I put my hand in His, He will empower me to live for Him.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.