Do you have a problem with spicy food?” the owner asked as we entered his small neighborhood restaurant.
“No,” we assured him.
“Excellent,” he said. “Because if you did”—here he gestured with both hands toward the exit—“there is the door.”
You may think it strange that a business owner would invite us to leave the moment he met us, but this man did so with warmth and respect. His establishment offered authentic Ethiopian food served in the traditional way. He would not mislead us into staying if we expected French fries with our zilzil tibs combo. The payoff was that we got to try new and interesting food. And it was fun to eat with our hands as we dipped injerra bread into the main dish—also a new experience for us.
Jesus had some oddly honest words for a crowd as it followed Him. “If you want to be my disciple,” He said, “you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Pointing out that no one would start a construction project without first calculating its cost, He warned that it was no different when it came to discipleship. “Don’t begin until you count the cost,” He said Luke 14:28). He even told them “you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own” (Luke 14:33).
Jesus wasn’t pointing the “large crowd” toward the exit, but neither would He turn the gospel into a sugarcoated sales pitch. A life spent following Christ might not look anything like traditional success. The payoff is a life invested in true purpose. Discipleship is no short-lived thrill ride; it’s an eternal adventure based in God’s leading and provision.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jonah 3:1–4:11
More:
Note how Jesus challenged a rich young man in Mark 10:17-25.
Next:
What things do you sense the Holy Spirit is asking you to give up in order to become a more mature disciple of Jesus? What did Jesus mean by “giving up everything you own”?
hsnpoor on June 4, 2016 at 4:34 am
What did Jesus mean by “giving up everything we own?” Recognition that we own nothing, HE owns it all. We are simply, humbly & honorably (hopefully) faithful stewards of what he has blessed us with, to be held with an open hand to serve His purposes and plan. Like Hannah in 1 Samuel, chapter 1. Love how these lessons all converge, reinforce and come together! Thank you ODJ, ODB & My Utmost! Oops! And my Sun. School class too, that addresses 1 Sam. 1 this Sunday!
Tim Gustafson on June 4, 2016 at 11:14 am
How cool that your Sunday school class is covering 1 Samuel! Yes, we reinforce each other as we study God’s Word and live out our faith. Appreciate you!
hsnpoor on June 4, 2016 at 11:29 am
And I, you. Love how you always make yourself available to engage! Thank you for that!
Gary Shultz on June 4, 2016 at 6:36 am
Okay Tim you have me thinking, of course it hurts. First thing as Kim says, I think that is “hsnpoor’s” name, what a nice tie in with ODB, 1 Sam is great too. I have to believe that in all of what we do, the faith question must come first. We will not give, plan or surrender to a path we are unconvinced is true. We will not see the truth unless we allow our heart to be open to the voice of God. When we see that God has given so much more, when we see God is so much more, we invest because we have recognized a Person and cause far greater and bigger than ourselves. We must see the King and the kingdom and know it is real. Now I can plan, now I can open my hand, now I have the example and power to know there is purpose. I am sorry for the reckless, desperate souls who plunge into things with no insight, foresight or hope. Sorry for the length, but that’s the cost of me trying to think. Thanks Tim, and I know you know all of this stuff, just had to say it.
Tim Gustafson on June 4, 2016 at 11:15 am
Gary, if I don’t stay in the Word every day, I forget it! Yeah, I know, amazing, right? Really, I need these reminders constantly, and hearing it from you guys is not a bad way to get fed! Thank you. Again. 🙂
hsnpoor on June 4, 2016 at 11:47 am
Morning, Gary….yes, Kim is my name (should probably trash that hsnpoor, but it helps me remember how & from where the Lord has brought me). Your words are so true and appropriate. I live and work in an area in Northern Ca. that is called the Silicon Valley. That name is better known for the mindset that’s represented than the actual location. The area is full of high achievers who live & breath to become the next great “Master of the Universe”, refusing to acknowledge that the position is already filled. There; however, is hope to be found in the cesspool. It is sad & hard to see people diligently & vigorously paving their way to destruction, BUT, that makes the rare occasion where someone on that road sees the “light” so incredibly special & encouraging. What a joy to watch someone achieve all that they thought would satisfy and then realize they placed their ladder against a shaky structure and redirect. It happens and all I can say is HALLELUJAH! Glory to God in the highest!
jim spillane on June 4, 2016 at 11:52 am
Tim – this particular read from Luke is the one that always opens my eyes to why so many professed Christians are simply stuck in place when it comes to their faith. In these verses, Christ plainly tells the crowd and us that you’ve got to be willing to leave everything behind, including your current life, and carry your own cross for Him. So many begin to build a foundation of faith but as they move along and gain more insight into what is actually required of them, what it truly means to be “Christ-like,” the building process stops and they are “not able to finish.” It’s too much of a sacrifice of them and they can’t go on. Should I dare to say that these are the lukewarm believers that Christ says He will spit out of His mouth because they are neither hot nor cold? Revelation 3:15-16. Thanx for your devotional today and blessings to all who visit here.