Devotions 03-10-08 (Lu 9:57-62)

I will again try to summarize this passage in Luke 9:57-62.)

Jesus was walking with His larger group of followers when one said "Jesus I will follow you wherever You go. Jesus responded that He was always on the move and that his following Him would be harder than than he realizes. He wanted him to seriously count the cost.

Jesus then invited one of those in the group to "follow Him". His response was to allow him to first go and bury his father. Jesus responded to him to allow others to do that task but that following Him was a more urgent matter.

One of the group volunteered to follow Jesus but asked for permission to say good bye to those at home. This person seemed to have been following Jesus for some period of time already. Jesus responded to him and said "once you have left home to follow Jesus do not turn back but keep following and do not get distracted. The Kingdom of God is for those who forsake everything to be a part of this great Kingdom.

So in another brief summary there are three issues I must face concerning the Kingdom of God. 1. Following Jesus is probably more difficult than I realize.
2. When I do understand what it means to follow Jeus I should make that decision and not put it off. Do not wait to get other things done and then try to follow Jesus.
3. Once you begin to follow Jesus do not let other things cause you to turn back even for a moment. This wavering makes you unfit to be part of this great Kingdom.

God has been so gracious to me to be a part of this Great Kingdom and by His Grace I have obeyed these three requirements. I know there are many others who have done this as well and I am grateful to be a part of this host of brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray I can be faithful and strong to follow Jesus the rest of the days that God allows me to live. I give God all the glory for all He has done for me by His power and Love.