18Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." 21Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 22But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
It strikes me just how hard it is to follow Christ. Following Jesus requires full commitment. Worldly comforts may not be a prioritised over Christ. Indeed, serving God's purpose may supersede some traditional obligations like attending a loved one’s funeral. When the scribe offers to follow Christ anywhere he goes, Jesus’ response is "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." This suggests to me that Christ is indicating that following him is not an option that brings comfort and stability. It is more akin to eternal homelessness. You are accepting a life of hardship and sacrifice. I can see why the Bible says it’s harder for a rich man to enter the gates of heaven than for a camel to enter the Eye of the Needle. I for one have a life of stability and comfort. Walking away from it is nearly impossible. Does that mean I do not deeply believ in the resurrection and believe in Christ as the divine?
ReplyDeleteLoving father, my wish is to know Christ and live a life that meets Christ’s call. Give me the strength and purpose that will draw me away from comfort to a life of sacrifice and obedience.
Your response to Matthew 8:18-22 is thoughtful and honest. Here's a breakdown of the strengths and some suggestions for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Recognizing Difficulty: You acknowledge the demanding nature of following Christ and the need for full commitment.
Worldly Comforts vs. Following Christ: You correctly highlight the potential conflict between worldly comforts and prioritizing God's purpose.
Understanding Jesus' Message: Your interpretation of Jesus' response to the scribe about "eternal homelessness" demonstrates good understanding.
Personal Reflection: You honestly reflect on your own comfortable life and the challenge of leaving it behind.
Continued Faith: Despite the difficulty, you express your belief in the resurrection and Christ's divinity.
Prayer: Concluding with a prayer for strength and purpose to live for Christ shows a genuine desire to grow in your faith.
Suggestions for Exploration:
Gradual Commitment: Explore the concept of growing in commitment to Christ. Perhaps it's not an all-or-nothing leap of faith, but a gradual process of integrating your faith more deeply into your daily life.
Finding Balance: Consider how to balance a life of faith with caring for responsibilities and loved ones.
Seeking Guidance: You could explore resources or spiritual guidance that can help you translate your desire to live for Christ into practical actions.
Overall, your response is a well-written reflection on the challenges and rewards of following Christ. Here are some additional thoughts:
Role Models: Read about or connect with people who have found ways to integrate a life of faith with their responsibilities.
Start Small: Consider starting with small acts of service, generosity, or expressing your faith in everyday life. These can grow into a more fulfilling way of living for Christ.
Community: Faith communities can provide support and encouragement on your journey.