Article: Leave everything and follow Him | Simjan Cheeran, USA
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:11
Once a wealthy ruler approached Jesus (Mathew 19:16-22) and asked “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He was expecting a ‘good certificate’ from Jesus, but knowing his weakness, Jesus told him to “sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me”. The man was not willing to follow the Lord and if he had loved Jesus more than he did his property, he would have been willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. But that was not the case. He had made an idol of his wealth, and he loved it more than God.
A German Lutheran Pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said like this – “Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life”
Being a disciple of Christ means total sacrifice at its core and is “giving ourselves away” in faith.
● It’s an act of sacrifice by which a disciple has to let go whatever he considers as close to his heart. Apostle Paul says he had considered as loss what was gained to him, for the sake of his master as he dealt with the things of this world in a way that show that they are not his treasure, but rather that Christ is his treasure.
● It’s an act of trust, a state of leaning on Jesus for everything in your life including past, present and future. Jesus loves us and promises always to be with us, but since we can’t see Him, during times of trouble, doubt and fear can creep in and make it difficult for us to trust HIM. Peter encourages us that we can trust in Jesus even when we cannot see Him ((1 Peter 1:6–8). Even though we can’t see Jesus with our physical eyes, the Holy Spirit enables us to see Jesus with the eyes of our hearts.
● It’s a deliberate choice to put Jesus first above all our selfish ambitions. The time, resources, energy, gifts that we’ve been given, should be used not to gain influence, make money, or fuel pride, but instead to multiply glory for the Kingdom and to save the souls of the lost.
● It isn’t an event, but a never-ending lifetime experience. It doesn’t just happen. We must remain open, available and willing to participate in Christ’s ongoing disciplining of us until till we completely transform to his image in glory.
John Huss, a pre-reformation reformer was given one last chance to deny Jesus before he was burnt alive, but he welcomed death joyfully by praying like this; “Lord Jesus, it is for thee that I patiently endure this cruel death. I pray thee to have mercy on my enemies.” He was heard reciting the Psalms as the flames engulfed him.
Have you ever thought about whether you will still remain committed to his call of discipleship …?
● if it means, losing your closest friends?
● if it means alienation from your family?
● if it means, the loss of your reputation?
● if it means losing your job?
● if it means, losing your life?
Passage for further meditation: Philippians 3
Verse to memorize: Philippians 3:7
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay loyal to your calling, by making wise choices to make your
kingdom as my priority. Please open my inner eyes so that I always will be able to discern your
will in my life. I lay my life at your feet Jesus, and offer you all that I am, Amen.
Simjan Cheeran
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