Giving what you own!

 Luke 14: 25-33 v 33 “So, you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything that you own.”

A large crowd was following Jesus. “If you want to be my disciple you must, by comparison, hate everyone else. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost? Or what King would go to war without first sitting down to see if his army could defeat the other? So, you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything that you own.

Jesus often, as He does here, talks about everyday things that are easy to understand when talking about our spiritual life. His preaching brought crowds of people, which made me think how many would that be?  The population of Jerusalem in Jesus’s time was around 55,000 compared to 900,000 today. So, feeding the 5,000 would be more like the 99,000 today. A large crowd today could be in the thousands. Despite the lack of technology Jesus spread the words He wanted people to hear. He talked about love, peace and joy but also the personal cost to following your spiritual side and believing in Him. It would impact all your life, your personal relationships with family, they would hate you. Your safety where you live, as if going to war, would be compromised. In fact He said it would require giving up everything that you own. Be bold for Jesus today as you give up all you own for Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you for the loving relationships we have in your name as we give up others that are close to us. Amen.