Definitely a full-plate-kind of day, Father, and the day is quickly coming to a close. Pull me close that I may hear what you would have for my heart tonight. Amen.
Luke 14:25-27 (<<click here to read the passage)
For as long as I can remember, I have loved reading the Gospels. Of course, those are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that speak of Jesus’ life and teachings. I find them inspirational and uplifting as I read of how Jesus lead His life, how He responded to those in need, how He responded to those who opposed Him, and how He taught and loved those closest to Him. It’s real. It shows us the authenticity.
But recently, it seems to be a great challenge. Maybe it’s just where I am in Luke’s Gospel but it’s hard! Jesus loves us more than we could ever begin to comprehend but love is not always gentle and kind. It is not always dishing out gushy sweetness. Many times, for love to be effective it must be a tough love.
There’s a bit of controversy with that phrase “tough love” but quite often if we just tiptoe around certain things we accomplish absolutely nothing! There are times when we must speak the truth in love. If someone is on the verge of falling off a cliff, kind and gentle just won’t cut it! Loud and stern and maybe even a grabbing of an arm to stop a deadly plunge is needed!
Recently, that’s where I feel I am with Jesus’ life and teachings. I realize I don’t move quickly through Scripture (I started over 5 years ago with Ephesians, worked my way through all the epistles, touched on the book of Revelation a bit and jumped back to the Gospels and am now just a little over half-way through Luke!), but for a while now, feel like I am in tough love mode!
I have to remind myself often that this is Jesus talking! He loves us but the point is He loves right where we are, but He also loves us enough to not let us stay where we are!
By this time, a large crowd was following
Him now. We have no idea how many were there for free entertainment and food (bread and fish anyone?) – but His time was soon coming to a close so He makes it very plain to all,
“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.” v26 NLT
Wow! That’s our text from the New Living Translation but the note on verse 26 from the Amplified Bible says that the word “hate” is an exaggerated figure of speech indicating a lesser degree of love, not actual hostility or aversion toward one’s earthly family.
But still! Those are some pretty strong words! Jesus lays it out! If you don’t live like this, you cannot be my disciple!
And if that wasn’t loud and stern enough, He goes on to say, “And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” v27 NLT
Folks, this is not a game! It is a life or death reality! The crowds following Him knew the reality of what carrying your own cross meant – probably even more clearly than we do! They were witness to its reality much more than most probably cared to recall!
If we are going to follow Jesus, our love for Him must outweigh everything – and everyone else. It is not an easy thing to process but it is a necessity. We cannot follow Jesus on the surface. His love runs deep and if we are to follow, our love must run deep, as well. It may be tough but it’s no doubt, that it is love!
Sept 9th, 2020, Wed, 8:32 pm
