Matthew 28: 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Luke 24: 50 “ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
The disciples had already paid a heavy price for following Jesus. Many of them had left homes and businesses. Some of those disciples probably had family members who thought they were crazy. Yes, discipleship had come at a high price. But the disciples who were watching Jesus ascend into heaven knew that they had made the right decision and they praised God for what He had done. In the next several years, those disciples would travel over most of the known world and would preach the Gospel to all kinds of people. Even when some of the early Christians died as martyrs, they died praising God. Discipleship has a high cost. But what is the cost of non -discipleship? Why can’t we just “go along to get along?”
Dallas Willard in “The Great Omission” points out that “the cost of nondiscipleship is far greater – even when this life alone is considered – than the price paid to walk with Jesus, constantly learning from him.”
“Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short, nondiscippleship costs you exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring )John 10:10). The cross- shaped yoke of Christ is after all an instrument of liberation and power to those who life in it with him and learn the meekness and lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul.”
God is preparing His banquet. Will you come, or will you give excuses?
PRAYER: Father God, please help us to follow hard after you all the days of our lives! Help us to realize that discipleship brings peace and joy while nondiscipleship brings only pain. And thank you, thank you, thank you! for the Gift of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
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