If Jesus was around today do you think you would want to be one of his followers?
When Jesus was here on earth some people wanted to follow Him for wrong reasons. For example, some followed Jesus hoping to get more free food, and they even wanted Him to become their king, but Jesus rejected them!
1*.
In our story today when people wanted to follow Jesus He did not make it seem attractive or easy for them! You might even think He tried to put them off! I wonder will what He had to say put you off wanting to follow Him?
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to give His life as the sacrifice for your sins and mine; a sacrifice that would be acceptable to God.
2*.
"As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, ‘I will follow you wherever You go.'
"Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.'"
3*.
This man was being left in no doubt that to follow Jesus was not a road to earthly comforts or popularity! Jesus would have us all know that to follow Him is not a pathway to ease and fame in this life!
4*.
So why follow Jesus if it promises to be so difficult?
Jesus promises many wonderful things to those who follow Him. For example:
- forgiveness of sin and peace with God,
- a life rescued from sinfulness and from the judgement of God, and
- God's presence with the believer now, and the assurance that he or she will go to be with God in Heaven for eternity!
5*.
It is certainly worth while to choose to follow Jesus in this life!
Jesus said to another man, "Follow Me". This man must have realised that if he chose to follow Jesus it would cause hassle with his father at home.
6*.
The man wanted to wait until his father would die and be buried before deciding to follow Jesus. He said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
7*.
Don't you be put off following Jesus by the fear of those who would give you hassle, no matter who they might be! If you know that Jesus is God and that you should follow Him then trust and obey Him NOW while you have the opportunity.
"Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.'" You see, Jesus is counting on true Christians to do the work that only they can do for the His Kingdom.
"Still another said, ‘I will follow You, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family.'
"Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.'"
8*.
Don't go back looking for the approval of your friends and family before deciding to follow Jesus; otherwise you might never get around to it!
6*.
Do what GOD wants you to do, now!
9*.
It is a wise choice to trust and follow Jesus, and it is one you will not regret or want to turn back from!
10*.
Read about following Jesus in Luke's Gospel chapter 9, verses 57-62.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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