Read: Luke 9:57-62
In Luke 9:23, Jesus said clearly that becoming His disciple involves self-denial – taking up your cross every day and following Him. He never guaranteed five-star accommodations. Sometimes He asked His disciples to oppose social customs and traditions. He expected undivided allegiance. All three men Jesus talked with in Luke 9 needed to learn that comfort, social acceptance and even family ties become secondary when Jesus is supreme.
The author Matthew Henry said, “Our religion teaches us to show piety at home and to honour our parents. But we must not make these an excuse from our duty to God. If the nearest and dearest relation we have in the world stands in our way to keep us from Christ, it is necessary that we have a zeal that will make us forget that one. The disciple is called to be a minister, and therefore must not entangle himself with the affairs of this world (2 Tim. 2:4). And it is a rule that, whenever Christ calls us to any duty, we must not consult with flesh and blood (Gal. 1:15-16). No excuses must be admitted against a present obedience to the call of Christ.”
Today, many people give much importance to physical fitness. But spiritual fitness is far more crucial to the life of the Christian, for when Christ calls you to become His disciple, He summons you to a life of labour not leisure. Discipleship is likened to the strictness of being a soldier, an athlete, and a hardworking farmer (2 Tim. 2:3-6). That means being free from distractions, always fit for action and unwavering in your labours. How is your spiritual zeal today? Do you lack seriousness in your commitment to Jesus? Or is your heart earnestly crying out to follow Him and serve Him all the more?
