“Some sought his death. Others left everything to follow him. Who was this Jesus, this carpenter turned wandering teacher? Why did he provoke such extreme reactions? And why does he still do so today, two thousand years after his death?
JESUS THE RADICAL highlights the impact of Jesus against the backdrop of life in first-century Judea, with its customs, its Messianic hopes, its multi-faceted Judaism and its Roman overlords. Here are many fascinating insights into the story you thought you knew.”
I was reading a chapter entitled ‘Disciples’ and the author talks about the occasion when Jesus said “Whoever loves his father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me”, and then how he deliberately put off a would-be disciple who asked permission to go and say goodbye to his family by saying “Anyone who starts to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use for the kingdom of God”.
Hmm… I guess it challenged me because I do keep looking back, and that affects me in the here and now. I can’t separate letting myself think about what I’m missing at uni, while I’m at home, and then going off to a GBU group and trying to be enthusiastic about what’s going on there! Because even though I am enthusiastic about it, it’s hard to show it when part of me would rather be back in my nice comfy life in Preston.
I guess also it’s helped me see again how I can’t do this work in my own strength, I need to be relying on God. Because I am weak, and I need Him to be working through me. He doesn’t NEED me to do this work for Him, it’s a gift He’s given to me, and I need to appreciate it more.
Please could you pray that I will be totally committed to serving God with students here in Belgium, and not keep looking back. Thanks. xx
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