Shawn on 15 March 2005

Luke 9
Isa 17, 18

Scripture
Luke 9: 57-62
Luk 9:57 On the road someone asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said.
Luk 9:58 Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know."
Luk 9:59 Jesus said to another, "Follow me." He said, "Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral."
Luk 9:60 Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"
Luk 9:61 Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home."
Luk 9:62 Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."

Observation
There are so many things happening in this chapter of Luke. Jesus and his miracles (the casting out of demons, the multiplication of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes), the seemingly sheer ‘sillyness’ about the way his disciples behaved (v.33: Wanting to build a tabernacle to glorify Moses, Elijah and Jesus, v.46: arguing about which disciple was the greatest, v.54: wanting to abuse God’s power by threatening to call down fire from heaven to burn the village of the Samaritans).

But what perhaps stood out for me are verses that I had never really noticed or perhaps wanted to notice before. In verses 57-62, Jesus had 3 encounters with people who wanted to follow Him. Yet each of them had ‘baggage’ they needed to get rid of before they gave themselves to Jesus.

The first was told by Jesus that the journey wasn’t going to be ‘nice’ and comfortable. The second wanted to bury his father and the last wanted to say goodbye to people at home.

Application

Yes, there may be miracles along the way. Yes, there will be ‘disciples’ of all shapes and forms along the way. But I suspect that Jesus wants people whose hearts are ready to really drop everything and go His way. To do His will without any regrets or distractions.

The recent string of events that happened at ACCF recently, starting with the Leaders’ Intensive leading to Apostle Alidi’s visit and then Bob Larson: it becomes clear that God is working out something Grand and big. A masterplan that involves us all. And I want to get on board and not leave myself behind because of my own selfish desires.

I want not to be like the ‘followers’ who wanted so much to go with Jesus yet hemmed and hawed when it came to crunch time. I want to be ready for action.

Prayer

Dear Lord. Father of the Heaven and Jesus, Lord of all creation. You are so many things to me: lover of my soul, provider, healer, creator of my very being. As your child, I submit myself to your plan and will.

Father, I know that your work is accelerating in ACCF and in Melbourne. Thank you for showing us your plans through people and their prayers. And now that I know a little more of where you want us to go, I pray that you use me mightily to help take us where you want us to go.

I put aside my flesh and my distractions and lusts and desires and lay them at your feet. Father, remove them and fill me instead with a burning passion for you. Ignite a burning passion for you that can NEVER be quenched. Use me Lord. Use me. In your most powerful name I pray. Amen.