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Scripture for the day: Luke 9:61-62 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at my home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Thought for the day: Let us not forget the context of this statement by the Lord. The twelve disciples had just returned from their preaching and healing missions, and they were excited. Peter had confessed Jesus as the Messiah, and everyone nodded their heads in agreement. They had argued over who would be greatest when Jesus had established His kingdom on earth and Jesus had shown them the true meaning of greatness: “the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48b). He then went on to promise the potential of homelessness to anyone who would come after Him. When I read these things together I am reminded that the Lord was serious when He recruited those who would be called disciples. He still is.
Yesterday, I shared a bit with you about the need for serious determination in seeking the will of God. We talked of the need to “walk as He walked.” Jesus said, and the Bible certainly shows us, there is another element to walking as He did, rather than simply searching the scriptures. Jesus called us to a life of sacrifice if we are to be His disciples. Sacrifice has always been a key element in the worship of God. Cain and Abel each brought a sacrifice before the Lord. Abel’s was accepted and Cain’s was rejected; why? Abel lived up to the standard and Cain failed to follow it. When Noah came out of the ark, the first thing he did was set up an altar and offer a sacrifice to God for His deliverance. When Abraham was tested by God, he didn’t hesitate to bring the very best that he had to the place of sacrifice, simply because it was what the Lord, God, had asked of him. David put the idea of acceptable sacrifice in perspective when he said as he insisted on buying a threshing floor and oxen to present to the Lord, “neither will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). In the New Covenant of Christianity we’re admonished by Paul, “present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1b).
So, what does all this mean for you and me? Just this; our act of spiritual worship must be the best we have. There is neither room nor reason for bringing junk for Jesus. This includes the material gifts we have to offer as well as acts of worship we participate in. The psalmist, David, asked this question: “Who may ascend onto the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? One who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to deceit and has not sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4). And Jesus asked this of His disciples: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do as I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Oh, my friends, we have been set free from the bondage of sin, not so that our lives will be easier or so that we can accomplish miraculous things and gain fame and fortune, but so that we might worship Him, “in the beauty of holiness.” Worship is more that a feeling of the presence of God, as wonderful as that may be. It’s more than a repetition of old musty rituals. Real worship, real sacrifice consists of giving to Jesus the glory that is due His name, emotionally and cognitively. Jesus told the woman at the well in Samaria, “God is spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Did you get that? We come before the throne of grace in spirit, with emotions intact and with a desire for our spirit to commune closely with the Spirit of God. We also come before Him in truth, in knowledge and with our whole mind. He demands and deserves no less.
No junk for Jesus! Only the best that we have will do.
Now go take on your world. - Bill