Deviotional: Week 1, Day 1

So, if you read my previous post on Luke 9:57-62, you will see the scenarios of three people who talk of following Jesus. With each person, he challenges them. He is, in a way, warning them about what is costs to follow Him. "Follow me even if it means becoming homeless, even if it means missing out on a family funeral, and even if it means not saying 'Goodbye' to the people you love most." Radical, huh?

Unfortunately, we give Jesus our undivided attention, and incomplete devotion. David Platt said in Radical,"We take Jesus of the Bible and being twisting Him into a version of Jesus that we are more comfortable with. A nice, middle class, American Jesus . . . A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes . . . A Jesus who is fine with a devotion from us that does not infringe on our comforts . . ."

Jesus is worthy of supreme devotion! He looks for followers who won't settle for a balanced life. . . Balanced, aka, LUKEWARM people. Have you looked at Jesus' life? I would say that is FAR from a balanced life.. He looks for followers, not fans. Like Francis Chan says in Crazy Love,"Jesus isn't interested in those who fake it."  Revelations says,"But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth."


Some things to think about:

1. What about Jesus makes Him worthy of your supreme devotion?
2. Given Jesus' replies to the three would-be followers, what do you suppose their conflicting loyalties were?
3. What competing loyalty is keeping you from being a truly radical follower of Jesus and what would repenting of that competing loyalty look like for you?
4. What is keeping you from a radical commitment to engage in the mission of God?

Jesus, You ARE worthy of my supreme devotion. For too long I have pursued the fleeting things of this world. Give me the grace to follow You however and wherever You lead. I want the world to see in me what You can do in, through, with, and for someone who is determined to be a radical, passionate follower of Christ. Lead me to be a radical witness for You wherever I go. Amen.

(Note: I have been paraphrasing and using segments from Cuyahoga Valley Church's devotional booklet Missio Dei. I am in no ways trying to "steal" their work. Just share it.)