And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:61-62)

Tucumcari, New Mexico is situated on a well traveled highway that connects the east with the west.  While I lived there my office was just few blocks from old Route 66.  It was quite often that a transient would knock on the door of the church building looking for food and gas money.  “Well”, I said to one beggar, “the local church is only authorized to help saints from its treasury.”  His next question should have been anticipated:  “What does it take to become one”?

We do ourselves and others a great disservice when we fail to clearly spell out the high cost of following Jesus.  Churches might have fewer people, but those they have will really be pledged to Christ.  Jesus never invited anyone to follow him under false pretenses.  

In the context we have three possible followers of Jesus.  The first candidate (Luke 9:57,58)  made a hasty promise:  "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go."   Here is a man of impulse who never really counts the cost.  The Lord reminds him that there will be no guaranteed reservations at the motel.  Following Jesus does not assure the comforts of the world.

The second one (Luke 9:59) wants to join the Lord after he has first buried his father.  Jesus points this would-be disciple to the urgency of preaching the kingdom.  We must cease upon the opportunities when they present themselves.  When a conflict arises between human ties and Christ, He claims first place.

The third candidate wants to first go bid his family good-bye.  He wants to be a disciple without the sacrifice.  He was not motivated by the importance of the mission.

Consider Jesus’ reply to this third candidate:  "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  Success in discipleship first demands our full concentration.  To take our eyes off of the task ahead may result in a crooked furrow.  Many worldly things easily distract us from our most important work.  We must have a steadfast eye.  We must contribute all of our strength and energy to His cause.

Jesus is worth the very best we can offer.  Our work is clearly laid out for us.  “I have decided to follow Jesus.  No turning back.  No turning back.”

By George Slover 

 

Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:59-60)

The advertising slogan of a well known insurance company is:  “Life comes at you fast”.  Indeed it does.  It always amazes me at how quickly the week ends only to start another.  The months and years pass by so fast.  Our lives are so full of activities- school functions, ball games, vacations, and civic duties.  It is hard to find time for God.

God must be first in our thoughts.  Connecting with God is a prerequisite to a successful walk with him.  Do you engage in daily Bible reading, meditation, and prayer?  (Psalm 1;1,2)  Is a daily devotional at the top of your list?  Do you give time to spiritual thoughts only when it does not crowd other things out, or is the rule of God the passion of your life?

God must be first in your decisions.  Life is full of decisions such as what kind of career will I pursue, where will I live?  Band, athletics, speech, drama, and homework all compete for the time of our children.  All of these are important to the development of the child, but none of them as significant as learning that God must come first.  When I choose a place to live which is more important – living in a popular neighborhood or living closer to my spiritual family?  I’ve seen so many disciples choose the neighborhood over the spiritual family and before long God is forgotten.  

God’s family must be the first of your associates.  God chose the local church as the organization through which to accomplish his collective work.  He knew that his people would need spiritual oversight, accountability, and encouragement.  A truth loving, service oriented church is vital to our spiritual growth.  Our society is full of para church organizations that compete with the local church.  These organizations include so-called “spiritually minded” folks that subscribe to the “salvation by faith only” doctrine and other denominational doctrines.  It concerns me when brethren make stronger connections to these organizations than they do with God’s people.  

God’s image must be reflected in our character.  Everyday we live and breathe and work with worldly people.  The selfish attitudes and value system of the ungodly are imposed upon us.  God saved us from sin to serve, not to be served. (Mt. 20:28)  We are to be noted for kindness and gentleness, but if God is not first, it is easy to imitate the rudeness and crudeness of the world.

Life does indeed come at us fast and before we know it – life will be over.  God has a life policy that insures much better promises than anything the world offers.  For that reason it is absolutely essential for us to make time for God.

By George Slover 

 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)Then the king's scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded-to the king's satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king's signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions. (Esther 3:12-13)
 
During the days of Xerxes, king of Persia, a decree was issued that on an appointed day all of the Jews would be killed.  This was done according to the counsel of Haman, the king’s jealous, power – hungry prime minister.  According to Persian custom such decrees were deemed irrevocable.  No one including the emperor himself would remove it.  Thus, in the early phases of this story it appears that the Jews are doomed to die.  However, by the God’s providence, the Jews are spared from this slaughter by another irrevocable decree (Esther 8:10-14).  This second edict was heralded throughout the empire, that the Jews would be permitted to protect themselves from their adversaries.  This new decree provided a way of escape for the Jews.
 
Like those messengers of the Persian Empire, God has employed his messengers to herald two irrevocable principles.  The first was plainly stated by Ezekiel:  "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)  This principle not only applies to those in prisons for some heinous crime, but to every person that is accountable to God.  (Romans 3:23)  God, being infinitely holy, will not lower his standards!  Thus, sin separates mankind from God.
 
Thus, God has issued another irrevocable decree.  It was stated well by the author of Hebrews: “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him..." (Hebrews 5:8-9) God is heralding to the sinner a message of reconciliation through his Son!  It is offered to anyone who will obey the Lord (Acts 2:37,38).
 
The Jews in Esther’s day recognized both a decree to destroy them and a decree to save them came from the same king!  We too must believe that the King of kings is on our side.  So, “be reconciled to God.”  (II Corinthians 5:20)
 
By George Slover

 

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." (Mark 7:3)

As Jesus was ministering in the region of Decapolis a man was brought to him who was deaf and mute.  By the power of God the man’s ears were opened and tongue loosed.  So amazed were those who witnessed this great wonder, they proclaimed: "He has done all things well.”  Indeed, what Jesus did and still does is just what we need.

Jesus is truly worthy of such praise for it was well for him to exercise his authority on earth in healing  the sick, for such is a pledge of his power to accomplish much more.  He did well by his sinless life, for he became the perfect sacrifice for sin.  Jesus does well when he frees the sinner from guilt by His shed blood.   Every thing Christ does is done liberally, graciously, and mercifully.  In view of these things we must join the multitudes in saying:  "He has done all things well.”

Heaven rejoices in Jesus for he does all things well.  The hosts of heaven rejoice over one sinner who comes to the Great Physician.   The saints rejoice for they have been made kings and priests unto God!  Christ’s ability to heal broken hearts has reached down to man and met all of his inner needs.  Truly, Jesus does all things well.

These simple words have been repeated through the ages.  Jesus heals the sick, renews the soul, and makes us delight in His word and rejoice in his love.  

“All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?  Can I doubt His tender mercy who through life has been my guide?  Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!  For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.  For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

“All the way my Savior leads me; Cheers each winding path I tread, Gives me grace for ev’ry trial, Feeds me on the living bread.  Though my weary steps may falter, And, my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.  Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.  

“All the way my Savior leads me, Oh the fullness of his love!  Perfect rest to me has promised, In my Father’s home above.  When my spirit clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day.  This my song thru endless ages; Jesus lead me all the way.  This my song thru endless ages; Jesus lead me all the way.
Fanny J. Crosby

By George Slover

for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." (Mark 12:44)

The story here recorded in Mark’s gospel is one of the most heart-warming in all of Scripture.  As Jesus watched the people putting money into the offering box, a poor widow was the one who gained his approval.  We have a touching picture of a lonely widow whose heart was sad and her mean scanty, finding strength and consolation in contributing to the temple.  Her remarkable action has become a model for disciples of Christ.

The objective amount was basically ignored by Jesus.  He was not concerned with the sum, but with the sacrifice.  This widow gave in all that she had, her whole livelihood.  In contrast many rich people put in large sums, but made no real sacrifice.   They gave out of abundance, but not out of want.  The widow’s gift was a heroic act of faith.  It was a demonstration of how much the worship of God meant to her.

This widow’s gift was approved because it was an offering full of love for God.  She demonstrated her gratitude to God, and her utmost confidence in Him to provide the daily needs.  Two mites were of little importance to the treasury, but of great importance to her.

It is a pleasure to give to those we love and value.  A young girl gives up her career and fortune for the future of her husband and the spiritual well-being of her children.  A father will find satisfaction in knowing he has given his best to his family even though he has worn out shoes.  A brother or sister in Christ will stay up until late into the night to share the gospel with a lost soul or to lift the burden of a saint.  

Too often we lose sight of the blessing because the service is too burdensome  and demands too much effort.  Thus, we restrain from indulgence in Christ-like service.  May we put into the treasury our wealth, talents, and prayers.  None go unnoticed by God.  Let us seek to have the spirit of this widow who knew God could do without the gift, but also knew that her heart could not be satisfied without her sacrifice.

By George Slover