We listen to the words people say and watch what they do, but God sees beyond the external, He sees and judges the heart of man. Jesus could see the hearts of the three men He responded to.
“Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’ He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:58-62
The first needed assurance that he would have some place to come back to – he did not want to give up his home. The second had greater commitment to the affairs of this world – he had family commitments. The third had greater affection for his family. None of those things are inherently bad. But, if they keep you from Jesus, then they are eternally harmful. So many people want to cling to the natural in their yearning for the supernatural. Like Lot’s wife. (Genesis 19:26)
“It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.” – Luke 17:30-33
I have seen so many Christians turn to look back. Perhaps some did not have true faith, like the parable of the seed (Matthew 13), I don’t know. But is saddens me to know what they are missing. We have been faced with the choices of laying down our devotion to family and earthly wealth to follow the call of God. God has always provided for our needs. I am certain that if you remind Christians of the greatest commandment – to love God with your all – they would nod their heads in agreement. But mental assent is not obedience, merely acknowledgement of a Truth. When Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved Jesus (John 21) Peter answered "Yes, You know I do." Then Jesus responded by essentially saying “Show Me by your life choices.” I have talked to many people over the years who have said they would really like to do what we do … but …. they had obligations. I am certain the Spirit of God was working in their hearts, but they chose not to follow.
The very thing they need, they turn away from to embrace an imitation. It is interesting that Jesus did not chase after those men, but let them go their own way. We can’t see the heart of those we meet, but we continue to hope should they not choose to follow that one day, they will yield their hearts to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment