Steven A. Bush - November 7, 2021
Counting the Cost
In Luke 9:57-62 Jesus addresses some would-be followers: "As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, 'I will follow You wherever You go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.' To another He said, 'Follow Me.' But he said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' And Jesus said to him, 'Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Yet another said, 'I will follow You, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.' Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'” (ESV) There are many other places in the gospels where Jesus says things difficult to understand. We might call them "hard sayings." But Jesus' mission wasn't to start a movement by making friends and influencing people. His rescue mission included the establishment of a Kingdom beachhead in this earthly realm of darkness where enmity towards God had reigned since the first couple fell. So when excuses were given to Jesus when the invitation to follow Him was clearly given, He saw through them. And yes, He sees through all of ours as well. Wearing a cross is much easier than bearing one but the latter is what Jesus has called us to do...