Saying goodby to five star

On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said. Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.” (Luke 9:57-58 MSG)

Jesus was frank and clear with anyone that was considering following him. He seemed to go out of his way to tell prospective disciples how hard things were going to be.

However this was no psychology test, they were really signing away their life away, lock stock and barrel.

There would be prisons not 5 star hotels.

Stocks not comfy armchairs.

Beatings not pampering.

Hunger not banquets.

In a day when it seems that many Pastors are looking for "honour" in this world, be it:

5 star hotels

Upper class plane travel

Cars for them and their wife

Paid for houses

Fully funded pensions

Even season tickets to watch their footy team

and much more

Let us never forget the call of the one to whom all honour is due, to come follow, rough it and yes even die!

Worship - Risking yourself totally

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. (Matthew 28:16-17 MSG)

In today's church "worship" is popular. "Worship" attracts. "Worship" sells! Well worship that has become synonymous with music does.

But we know really that worship is much more than singing songs to Jesus with great music, talented singers and energetic worship leaders to a background of video screens, lights & smoke machines. (even though I love all of the above)

Worship is about total and absolute surrender of everything we are and everything we have.

So rather than being critical of the few disciples who held back from worshiping Jesus in this moment, I have some respect. 

They respected Jesus and worship in that they were prepared to ask themselves the hard question. Were they prepared to risk everything?

That's in a nutshell what worship is: risking our lives for Jesus, not just glancing his way while singing about him in our pews.

No Questions Asked

Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They DIDN'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS, but simply dropped their nets and followed. (Matthew 4:18-20 MSG)

This totally blows my mind. Two brothers working the family business down tools and follow a perfect stranger. To that point Jesus had done next to nothing, he was almost anonymous, yet these guys gave up their livelihood to follow him.

They didn't have hindsight as we do. The 4 books that are now famous written by Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, had yet to be penned. The events of Easter & Pentecost were far in the future. Yet their decision was immediate and UNQUESTIONING.

In my following I am still full of questioning:

1. Will I be safe?

2. Will you provide?

3. Will I be successful?

4. Where are you taking me?

5. What about my family?

6. Exactly what do you want me to do? (I want to make sure it's my ministry)

and many more.... 

But for them there were no question they simply followed the call of Christ. They immediately decided to become disciples.

2014 done and gone but memorable