The Cost Of Following Jesus

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

"The Road Not Taken"

-Robert Frost

Ozark Highlands Trail

Arkansas

Have you ever found yourself trying to follow two people at one time?

This works only when they're going in the same direction.

But what happens if their paths diverge?

For instance, you're on a hiking trail with friends, and you reach a

fork in the road. If one person wants to go right and someone else

thinks you should turn left, you must choose which one to follow.

This principle is also true for Christians, but now our choice is whether

to follow Jesus or ourselves. Most of us will happily follow Jesus as long

as He is going where we want. But what happens if He leads us down a road

of sacrifice, self-denial, suffering, or even death?

Will we still trust Him and keep going?

This was the dilemma Jesus' disciples faced. When they started following Him,

they expected that He'd establish His Messianic kingdom, deliver them from

Roman domination, and give them places of honor and authority.

Thinking they'd soon be exalted in the kingdom, they were willing to suffer

the temporary deprivations of home, security, and comfort.

But then Jesus told them His path was leading to suffering and death,

and if they wanted to follow Him, they too must deny themselves 

 and take up their cross.

Many Christians today have the same expectation the disciples had-

maybe not for a kingdom, but for a happy and prosperous life.

However, this is essentially like inviting Jesus to follow us.

Self-denial means giving up our right to lead and surrendering

to Christ's lordship over our life.

Though His path isn't easy, He alone knows the way

to the Father's house.

-Dr. Charles Stanley

In Touch Ministries

Via Delorosa

Jon McNaughton

"What is the meaning of this painting?   This painting has over 100 figures,

both good and bad, men and women that have left their footprint on Christianity.

The man in the middle represents the modern Christian...

a man who must decide whether or not he will stand up for his Christian beliefs...

As true Christians, we must not fear to speak the truth, even if it means

we have to stand alone in the world.

"Via Delorosa" are the Latin words for "Way of Suffering"

and is the name for the traditional road in which Christ 

carried His cross to Calvary.

-McNaughton Fine Art Company

(2018)