‘Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple’. Luke 14:27 (NKJV)
There was once a youth leader who became the youngest elder that his Fellowship had ever known. The following week, his boss offered him a partnership in the business. It would have meant a huge salary, a luxury car and a big house in the country. However, it would also mean giving all his time to serve the company. He felt so called by Yehovah to work with the youth, but the business offer was so tempting. This verse from Luke convinced him that to truly be Yeshua’ disciple, he had to give up his own way for Yehovah’s way. He said ‘no’ to his boss, and ‘yes’ to the King. Following Yeshua calls for the highest level of commitment. When Yeshua said that His disciples must take up their cross to follow Him, it conjured up images of crucifixion and death. Early followers understood that the call to ‘come with Yeshua’, meant to die to their way of life, and to live for Him. The kind of radical devotion that this verse demands is rare today. Even in Yeshua’ day, many of His disciples said, ‘This is a difficult statement’. In fact, as a result, many of the people had withdrawn, and were not walking with Him anymore. John Wesley was asked what he would do if tomorrow was his last day on earth. His answer showed the contentment that he had with his devotion to Yehovah; ‘Nothing different,’ he replied. If tomorrow was your last day on earth, what would you do? Would you panic? What about your walk with Yehovah? Are you content and satisfied with it; if not, why not? There’s time to change it!