Jesus came into this world to give us abundant life, full of the joy of God. This joy is never ending and is not determined by what is happening all around us. However, He does require that we give up the ways of the broad road.
While the broad road offers elusive fleeting joys, inevitably it leaves us empty and wondering from where will we get the next high.
Jesus offers us His fellowship, friendship and partnership in His mission of life. He gives us eternal life, so we do not have to lose sleep worrying about what will happen when we die.
Jesus was absolutely clear when He called his disciples to follow Him. This is what He said, to the one who wanted to follow Him.
“The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”
(Luke 9 : 58).
Then in verse 59, Jesus takes the initiative and calls another, “Follow me.” The man responds, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” To which Jesus replies in verse 60, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere, the kingdom of God.” Then a third person says in verse 61, “I will follow you, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” To this Jesus responds in verse 62, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Jesus was testing and teaching his would be disciples. The Jesus way of love, truth, justice and reconciliation is a hard road and requires choosing and loving God above all.
Jesus was testing to see if the followers considered Jesus himself as the greatest treasure of their lives. They responded, “I’ll follow you.” Have you experienced the joy of following Jesus?