Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Matthew 8 The Cost of Heaven's Citizenship
In Matthew 8, Jesus has just finished the Sermon on the Mount and continues His ministry by means of healing and responding to people. He first heals a leper based on His 'willingness'. Jesus then is approached by a Roman soldier who asks healing for a servant who is paralyzed. Based on parallel accounts this servant is more like a son to the Centurion soldier. The key teaching in this paragraph concerns the authority of Jesus. The point is that those who recognize the authority of Jesus will have a strong faith in Him.
After more healing, Jesus is approached by two would-be followers. The first offers to follow Jesus wherever He goes. Jesus response is that His followers may have to homeless. Jesus shows that those who are committed to growing as citizens of His kingdom will have to set aside significant earthly comforts. The second would-be follower asks if he can first 'bury his father' and then follow Jesus. Undoubtedly, one of the most difficult things that the followers of Jesus must set aside are family priorities. We still have huge family responsibilities as followers of Jesus, but we also are called upon to establish heavenly priorities in taking care of those family responsibilities. The key phrase that this would-be follower uses is, "Permit me first..." That is one thing that Jesus cannot do for him or for us. Rather, we must follow the example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and pray, "nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will..."
The final 'setting aside' that the followers of Jesus are asked to do, is to set aside fear. Jesus had informed the disciples that they were going to the other side of the lake. When an incredible storm (called a 'mega' storm in the Greek) threatens the ship and their lives the disciples are greatly afraid. Jesus exhorts them to have more faith, and therefore to not be afraid.
1 John 4.11-18 helps with the idea of us setting aside fear. Loving others is our calling and as we develop that calling it leads to 'perfect love' which 'casts out fear'.
There is nothing easy about following Jesus. Salvation is free, but growth in the Christian life is filled with difficulties and costs. As followers of Jesus we need to be willing to set aside earthly comfort, earthly priorities and earthly fears.
After more healing, Jesus is approached by two would-be followers. The first offers to follow Jesus wherever He goes. Jesus response is that His followers may have to homeless. Jesus shows that those who are committed to growing as citizens of His kingdom will have to set aside significant earthly comforts. The second would-be follower asks if he can first 'bury his father' and then follow Jesus. Undoubtedly, one of the most difficult things that the followers of Jesus must set aside are family priorities. We still have huge family responsibilities as followers of Jesus, but we also are called upon to establish heavenly priorities in taking care of those family responsibilities. The key phrase that this would-be follower uses is, "Permit me first..." That is one thing that Jesus cannot do for him or for us. Rather, we must follow the example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and pray, "nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will..."
The final 'setting aside' that the followers of Jesus are asked to do, is to set aside fear. Jesus had informed the disciples that they were going to the other side of the lake. When an incredible storm (called a 'mega' storm in the Greek) threatens the ship and their lives the disciples are greatly afraid. Jesus exhorts them to have more faith, and therefore to not be afraid.
1 John 4.11-18 helps with the idea of us setting aside fear. Loving others is our calling and as we develop that calling it leads to 'perfect love' which 'casts out fear'.
There is nothing easy about following Jesus. Salvation is free, but growth in the Christian life is filled with difficulties and costs. As followers of Jesus we need to be willing to set aside earthly comfort, earthly priorities and earthly fears.
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