Following Jesus

So many people have a misconception about following Jesus.  Some think they will wait until they are old or very ill or sometime when it is convenient for them, but only in their own time.  

People don’t seem to realize that it is in God’s time not their time and only because of God’s mercy and grace.  You will only be able to follow Jesus when God the Father draws you to Jesus His only begotten Son.  Jesus made this statement in John 6:44, “No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last days.”  No one can come to Jesus on their own or in their own time and God isn’t in the habit of making deals with people, God initiates the time and then they have a choice to follow Jesus or not.

Even after accepting the call some people make up excuses why they can’t follow Jesus right away.  At one time a scribe came to Jesus and said he would follow Him wherever He went, then Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man hath nowhere to lay His head.”  Then one of His disciples spoke up and said to Him, “Suffer me first to go and bury my father.”  From what I have read this disciple wanted to wait until his elderly father died which could have been years, perhaps this man didn’t want to miss out on his inheritance.  Jesus said to this man, “Let the dead bury their own dead!”

Following Jesus can be a real struggle you may lose your popularity, your friends, even some family members or maybe even your employment.  In some countries people lose everything they have, some even their lives.  Some are thrown in prison and tortured for following Jesus; the cost can be very high.  

If you think about what Jesus said, it sounds like He had very little Himself, but what He did have, and what we all need, is faith.  The cost of following Jesus may be a high price to pay but the benefits are eternal and everlasting.  Make no mistake about it, following Jesus isn’t for the weak and timid who will give up at the first trial they face, no, it is for the ones that are sold out, lock, stock and barrel, those that are committed to the long haul regardless of the cost.  Many people may start out well but give up before the end of the race.  

Everyone has to make a choice of which way they will follow, there are two gates you can take but only one if you choose to follow Jesus and get into Heaven.  Jesus said this in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

So if you are walking on what you might call an uphill climb following Jesus don’t be shocked just hang in there the Lord knows what is going on and what He is trying to accomplish in your life.  Let Him have His way and just keep following, you cannot be in any better hands.  Have a great day and may the Lord bless you and yours!!