When jesus say yes nigel lewis series#

When relaying the story, my momвЂ™s friend said, КєWell, at least I know that my daughter knew better, so that gives me comfort.Кє My mom said to her, КєBut doesnвЂ™t that make it worse? If the other kid didnвЂ™t know better, he can hardly be blamed for his behavior. The womanвЂ™s daughter was a church-going child from a fairly well-to-do family, and the other child in trouble was just the opposite. This friendвЂ™s daughter had gotten in trouble on the bus at school, along with another young person. When I read this passage, I want to say, вЂњHey Jesus - isnвЂ™t at least a good thing that these folks want to follow you? IsnвЂ™t it better that they want to follow you but just arenвЂ™t quite ready yet, than not wanting to follow you at all?вЂќ As soon as I ask that question in my head though, I hear my mother telling me about an interaction with another parent, a friend of my momвЂ™s, years ago. Some things that just need attending to first so that we can be really ready to start. I agree, donвЂ™t you? I want to tell Jesus we have some important things to do sometimes that keep us from following God the way we want. We donвЂ™t know what happens next for any of these folks - if they stay with Jesus or if they say вЂњforget it.вЂќ The gospel moves on. Are you sure you mean it?вЂќ Jesus extends the invitation: вЂњFollow meвЂќ to another, and they respond, вЂњLord, first let me bury my father.вЂќ Jesus, apparently unmoved, says, вЂњLet the dead bury their own dead but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.вЂќ A third offers to follow Jesus, вЂњbut first,вЂќ he says, вЂњlet me say farewell to those at home.вЂќ And Jesus responds, вЂњNo one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.вЂќ ThatвЂ™s the whole passage. The first approaches and says, вЂњI will follow you wherever you go.вЂќ Jesus responds, вЂњFoxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.вЂќ In other words, вЂњAnywhere also means nowhere, no landing place. JesusвЂ™s message is getting across, and people are interested. This seems to us perhaps like it would be great news.

When jesus say yes nigel lewis series#

In LukeвЂ™s gospel, we find a series of people approaching Jesus, saying that they want to follow him. Not tough because it is hard to understand, but tough because JesusвЂ™s words cut to my heart with their clarity and urgency, asking for a response. This week is another week like that for me. And I told them that people often respond this way to a sermon when I also feel that way about it - like IвЂ™m speaking, preaching to myself. Someone mentioned to me this week that they enjoyed last SundayвЂ™s sermon, that they felt it was speaking right to them.