July 13, 2020
Jesus tells us in this teaching that following him
is expensive. There is a cost to following Jesus and serving others the
way that he has called us to serve. This teaching comes at a time where
Jesus was experiencing great popularity – and he warned his fans that it
wouldn’t always be easy to follow. As you study, consider that warning for us
today. Are we willing to pay the cost of following Jesus?
STUDY THE SCRIPTURE
Click here to access the reading from Luke 14:25-34
REFLECTION
Follow Jesus
by Nancy Gleason
How many of us pack lightly for vacation? I just returned from Michigan along with my suitcase filled with many clean clothes that were never worn. When my daughter packed for her summer in France, we needed to open her luggage at the check-in to pull out 3 pounds of stuff that put her over the weight limit. Our tendency is to think we need more than we really do because we want to have something with us, “just in case”.
When we set out to follow Jesus, we are able to leave behind everything! There is nothing to bring and no worries to keep. Becoming a Christian means turning toward God and turning away from concern for self and earthly possessions.
Jesus makes it clear that following him is a serious commitment above any personal commitment we have ever made. It requires putting our allegiance to family secondary to Him. What does that look like? Is it simply family discord at the dinner table when discussing religion? Or will it trickle down into how we live our life reflecting our Christian values even when we rock the boat?
Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposition (which is quite unpopular during this time of self-interest). Most everyone believes individual needs are most important. We want to do what feels good rather than sacrificing for moral principles. Aligning ourselves with truth and righteousness to reflect WWJD is what we must be prepared to do.
Jesus is willing to meet us where we are, and we must be willing to release everything of value to be with Him. As we do, our relationship with Jesus becomes vital and we come to love Jesus above all others. Our submission makes us the empty vessels that can serve the Kingdom of God. The One who redeems us also calls us into costly discipleship and we find that “Follow Jesus” is both a gift and a demand.
How many of us pack lightly for vacation? I just returned from Michigan along with my suitcase filled with many clean clothes that were never worn. When my daughter packed for her summer in France, we needed to open her luggage at the check-in to pull out 3 pounds of stuff that put her over the weight limit. Our tendency is to think we need more than we really do because we want to have something with us, “just in case”.
When we set out to follow Jesus, we are able to leave behind everything! There is nothing to bring and no worries to keep. Becoming a Christian means turning toward God and turning away from concern for self and earthly possessions.
Jesus makes it clear that following him is a serious commitment above any personal commitment we have ever made. It requires putting our allegiance to family secondary to Him. What does that look like? Is it simply family discord at the dinner table when discussing religion? Or will it trickle down into how we live our life reflecting our Christian values even when we rock the boat?
Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposition (which is quite unpopular during this time of self-interest). Most everyone believes individual needs are most important. We want to do what feels good rather than sacrificing for moral principles. Aligning ourselves with truth and righteousness to reflect WWJD is what we must be prepared to do.
Jesus is willing to meet us where we are, and we must be willing to release everything of value to be with Him. As we do, our relationship with Jesus becomes vital and we come to love Jesus above all others. Our submission makes us the empty vessels that can serve the Kingdom of God. The One who redeems us also calls us into costly discipleship and we find that “Follow Jesus” is both a gift and a demand.
UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER
MONDAY - MEDICAL PERSONNEL
Pray for our doctors, nurses, and all medical
professionals to have strength, wisdom, endurance, and alertness. 
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