Monday March 16, 2009
Read Luke: 9:57-62 “Disappointing our Delusions”
When Jesus calls us to follow him he often begins by disappointing our delusions. Here we see this clearly. In three instances we see the Lord crushing the same delusion in three would-be followers. All three came with the delusion that following Christ could be made convenient, in other words, could be made to fit neatly into their present lifestyles. Our church culture has become overly indulgent in this case. The result of our super accommodating church programs, cozy comfy worship malls and designer bibles, that practically study themselves for you, is millions of spoiled saints who often crumble when reality crashes through their Christian bubble and they walk away saying “I tried it and it didn’t work.” We are sending out a false message that being a Christian is easy, convenient, and fun. We portray it as a cross-free way of enjoying life with no disturbances in the force. But as our Lord shows these individuals discipleship that fits neatly into your life without making any disturbance in your lifestyle is no discipleship at all. If it costs nothing its worth nothing.
“But the son of man has no place to lay his head.” – The first starry eyed volunteer comes to Jesus and says ‘I will follow you everywhere you go.’ Be careful when using words like “everywhere”, “everything”, “anywhere”, and “never” when committing to follow Jesus. This recruit was ready to go “everywhere”, but our Lord makes sure he understands what “everywhere” means before he signs up. In effect he says, “This is no pleasure cruise, sometimes you will have to sleep under a tree or behind a rock. We don’t spend much time a five star hotels, friend, so make sure “everywhere” means “everywhere”. When Christ calls us to say “everywhere” we must remember that sometimes everywhere means we will go into difficult and even dangerous places and situations.
The second thing we have to watch when we sign up to follow Christ is the temptation to say, “Lord I will follow you but first let me…” This happened twice. In both instances the follower wannabe said they wanted to take care of family business first. “Let me bury my father” was a figure of speech, meaning; “Let me stay home until my father dies then I’ll sign up.” The second wanted to tie up loose ends at home, say goodbye, and make sure things are all taken care of etc. But Jesus says, “No one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” One of the biggest delusions of convenience is that we can say to the Lord, “Okay I know what you want me to do, and I’ll be glad to do it, but first let me take care of my own agenda, then I’ll get around to yours.” There are no “Round Tuits” in discipleship. You cannot say to Christ, “Let me have all my fun first, get a job, make lots of money, do all the things I want to do, then I will follow you”. In his ears that is simply a long way of saying “no”. Friend if you are waiting until you are ready to follow Christ you will never be ready. When Jesus called his first disciples it says, “They immediately dropped their nets (they were fishermen) and followed him. Levi the tax collector immediately got up from his tax table and followed Jesus without looking back. You will never find the time to follow Jesus in prayer, Bible study, witness or whatever. You must forsake all and follow him immediately. Need time for prayer? Quit something that is eating away at your time, and give it to him for prayer. Need time for Bible study. Put down that magazine, or Romance Novel, or News paper, and pick up your Bible. When Jesus calls he calls now. It will not be convenient because part of his plan is to kill your agenda, and give you a new one. He has no interest in accommodating your status quo or enhancing your cool lifestyle. You and I live in a delusion of convenience and he intends to kill it and give us a life beyond our small dreams. Today when he prompts you to do something, drop what you are doing and follow right away and the adventure of faith begins.
Read Luke: 9:57-62 “Disappointing our Delusions”
When Jesus calls us to follow him he often begins by disappointing our delusions. Here we see this clearly. In three instances we see the Lord crushing the same delusion in three would-be followers. All three came with the delusion that following Christ could be made convenient, in other words, could be made to fit neatly into their present lifestyles. Our church culture has become overly indulgent in this case. The result of our super accommodating church programs, cozy comfy worship malls and designer bibles, that practically study themselves for you, is millions of spoiled saints who often crumble when reality crashes through their Christian bubble and they walk away saying “I tried it and it didn’t work.” We are sending out a false message that being a Christian is easy, convenient, and fun. We portray it as a cross-free way of enjoying life with no disturbances in the force. But as our Lord shows these individuals discipleship that fits neatly into your life without making any disturbance in your lifestyle is no discipleship at all. If it costs nothing its worth nothing.
“But the son of man has no place to lay his head.” – The first starry eyed volunteer comes to Jesus and says ‘I will follow you everywhere you go.’ Be careful when using words like “everywhere”, “everything”, “anywhere”, and “never” when committing to follow Jesus. This recruit was ready to go “everywhere”, but our Lord makes sure he understands what “everywhere” means before he signs up. In effect he says, “This is no pleasure cruise, sometimes you will have to sleep under a tree or behind a rock. We don’t spend much time a five star hotels, friend, so make sure “everywhere” means “everywhere”. When Christ calls us to say “everywhere” we must remember that sometimes everywhere means we will go into difficult and even dangerous places and situations.
The second thing we have to watch when we sign up to follow Christ is the temptation to say, “Lord I will follow you but first let me…” This happened twice. In both instances the follower wannabe said they wanted to take care of family business first. “Let me bury my father” was a figure of speech, meaning; “Let me stay home until my father dies then I’ll sign up.” The second wanted to tie up loose ends at home, say goodbye, and make sure things are all taken care of etc. But Jesus says, “No one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” One of the biggest delusions of convenience is that we can say to the Lord, “Okay I know what you want me to do, and I’ll be glad to do it, but first let me take care of my own agenda, then I’ll get around to yours.” There are no “Round Tuits” in discipleship. You cannot say to Christ, “Let me have all my fun first, get a job, make lots of money, do all the things I want to do, then I will follow you”. In his ears that is simply a long way of saying “no”. Friend if you are waiting until you are ready to follow Christ you will never be ready. When Jesus called his first disciples it says, “They immediately dropped their nets (they were fishermen) and followed him. Levi the tax collector immediately got up from his tax table and followed Jesus without looking back. You will never find the time to follow Jesus in prayer, Bible study, witness or whatever. You must forsake all and follow him immediately. Need time for prayer? Quit something that is eating away at your time, and give it to him for prayer. Need time for Bible study. Put down that magazine, or Romance Novel, or News paper, and pick up your Bible. When Jesus calls he calls now. It will not be convenient because part of his plan is to kill your agenda, and give you a new one. He has no interest in accommodating your status quo or enhancing your cool lifestyle. You and I live in a delusion of convenience and he intends to kill it and give us a life beyond our small dreams. Today when he prompts you to do something, drop what you are doing and follow right away and the adventure of faith begins.
