Luke – Doors Wide Open!
To weed out perspective employees, a manager will come to them with all the explanations of expectations. Sometimes you even have to sign a contract saying you will meet and exceed those expectations. So why is considering the cost of following Christ who gives us power to follow Him such a surprise?
Jesus became very popular because of his power to heal and his compassionate way of loving all kinds of people. Crowds wanted to be near Him, to follow Him, to watch Him work and be amazed by Him in their presence.
But did they understand what it meant to follow Him in His ways? Do we?
Luke 14, New Living Translation
The Cost of Being a Disciple
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
What are the expectations?
1. Love God with all your heart, mind and soul…FIRST.
2. Give up this life and all the attachments we have to it.
3. Be ready to go to battle with the enemy.
4. Think in terms of peace.
5. Be salty. Season the world with Christ by walking in His ways, telling HIS story of Truth.
6. Carry your own cross. Count the cost.
7. “Be my disciple” and belong to no one else. –Jesus
If you can do all of the above, you come closer to what it means to follow Christ with all that is in you.
Dear Heavenly Father,
When I think I’ve got it, I realize I must go deeper still. Help me to know you more, to be able to share in your suffering and to follow you relentlessly. And when life seems to fall apart, put me back together again. When life is confusing, bring clarity and focus. Yes, show me the way to go and I will follow. I love you with all that is in me.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna with Your Mug 
Very, very few choose the path of discipleship but it is the only way to be safe in the days ahead. Giving up all is very hard to do but we have found the sacrifice far less than the reward of Him we have gained in return. Blessings to you.
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Thank you for reading and commenting! Many blessings to you and your family, too!
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