
There he is, hanging on the cross. The crowds pursued him when he was giving away free food and free healing. But today, as he dies, the crowd is much smaller. There are just a few women and one apostle.
This is a quite a contrast from the day he fed 5,000 men and their families. They clamored for him then. But today they scattered. Today they hid. Today they abandoned him.
It is easy to follow Jesus when he is serving you. It is easy when then wine vats are full, your hunger is satisfied and your pain, blindness and vexation is cured.
But what about today? What about when he says, “Die with me?”
What about when he says, “this man is not your husband?” John 4:18
What about when he says “sell everything you have?” Mt. 19:21
What about when he says, “this is going to cost you something?” Luke 14:33
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Mondays are my day off which means I usually spend too much time scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. I do enjoy seeing pictures of adventures, babies and even the occasional cat photo.
But today as I did my usual perusing a heaviness settled in me, a heaviness caused by sin. I have a lot of friends who used to follow Jesus but have traded that in for something else, something temporary. They have traded in obedience for an escape, a new spouse, an unholy relationship or a quick fix.
They have abandoned Jesus. Maybe you have abandoned Jesus.
You may post inspirational verses and the times of the Christmas services, but you have abandoned him too. You have left him hanging on that cross. Abandoned.
How do I know? Your disobedience says it all.
Remember this very important thing Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Keeping commandments is how you stick it out. Keeping commandments is how you show your grit. Keeping commandments is how you show you are one of the brave ones at the foot of the cross.
I challenge you to look into the mirror of faith and see where you are. Are you running away for your life or are you at the foot of the cross, counting the cost and willing to give whatever it takes to say “I love you, too, my Lord and my Master?”
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36
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