One week ago, a group of us were headed home from Passion 2011. Today I'd like to recount a session that was a personal favorite as far as times of teaching and time at Passion period.
Jesus seemingly tries to talk people out of following Him.
Luke 14:25-33 - Jesus says here that one has to hate their mother, take up their cross or instrument of torture, and give it all up to follow Him. There's no ABC here (as easy as Admit, Believe, Confess).
Luke 18:18-30 - The rich young ruler walks away after Jesus challenges Him regarding His wealth.
We are challenged to value the Lord so highly that our relationships of this world look like hate.
The Lord has great worth and value.
Throughout Luke's gospel we see throughout from chapter 9 onward that He's headed toward Jerusalem. He's headed to the cross. This is no accident. This is no plan B. As Jesus is headed to the cross, He goes with the realization that He will drink the cup of His Father's wrath. Psalm 75, amongst others, was mentioned here.
Luke 9:57-62 was his main text. '57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 59To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 60And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." 62Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."'
1- He is worthy of all trust (verses 57-58)
He is the end - not the means to an end! He is what is more valuable than anything. Is He enough for you? Is He all-sufficient?
2- He is worthy of all our plans and dreams (verses 59-60)
Our position is merely given by God to advance the kingdom of God through the spread of the gospel. For the Christian, we have sacrificed our right to determine the direction of our lives by giving them over for God's purposes and His glory.
3- He is worthy of all our affections (verses 61-62)
We should have total and undivided affection for Jesus. He demands our complete devotion. He should be the supreme desire of our heart. To know God deeply yields loving Him passionately.
Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
This man knows what He has found. Only Christ is worth losing everything for.
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