One Year Journey: Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3
October 2005

are you leaving too? 63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:63-69
Church splits are usually nasty, painful affairs. Most of the time people get hurt or are disappointed. Charges are tossed back and forth like grenades. And people get entrenched in their positions.

It’s been my sad experience to witness a few of these schisms, and I’ve observed that many were driven by people who were just flat-out selfish. There was a refusal to cooperate and to get along with others. People made up some nice-sounding reasons to hit the door and do their own thing. We can make it sound so positive and spiritual, when in reality we simply don’t want to pay the price for unity—demonstrating what it really means to follow Jesus.

Jesus doesn’t call us to a happy, comfortable existence. Following him is not always easy—but it will surely cost us something. As I’ve studied the idea of New Testament discipleship, it’s interesting to note that whenever Jesus called people to another level of commitment the crowd got smaller. People would figure out a reason to step back.

It’s just as true today as it was during the time Jesus walked on earth. We all tend to want a Christianity that will confirm us right where we are. (You know—the kind that makes you feel good and doesn’t require too much from you.) I fight this battle just like everybody else. When Jesus calls me to take another step away from my comfort zone to demonstrate commitment, I’m tempted to rationalize why I don’t need to do it.

Instead, our response should be like the one Peter gave in John 6:68-69. Jesus had asked his disciples if they would take the next step of commitment and stay with him. Or would they bolt with those who didn’t truly believe? Peter spoke on behalf of all of them when he said, in effect, “Lord, we’re not going anywhere. We’re committed to you!” What an illustration of what it means to follow Jesus!

To follow Jesus means paying the price, and that price is incremental. He takes us to deeper levels of commitment and each time there’s a cost. So, when the time comes to do the hard—but right—thing, don’t procrastinate. Take the next step and trust Jesus. —Crawford W. Loritts livingalegacy.org

seeking: Father, what are you calling me to do in light of this teaching? How do I understand true commitment to you?

responding: Am I willing to pay the price to follow Jesus? • How have I been living a life of seeking my own comfort? • How have I been showing my commitment to Jesus?

Heavenly Father, I want to be fully committed to you. Help me not to be selfish but to pay whatever price is required so that I may follow you wholeheartedly.
following: Commitment to Jesus requires that we pay the price.