January 11, 2012

JESUS CLEANS OUT THE BANDWAGON

Key Verse
Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead." (Mathew 8:21-22)
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Central Truth

Following Jesus is not all miracles and healing. Discipleship has a cost, but faith will sustain you.

Reflections

I love the way this chapter is structured. Jesus starts off on a massive winning streak. He just gave the Sermon on the Mount, healed a ton of people, and, at the end, casts out demons and controls the weather. All of these events are increasing His following, and rightly so -- who wouldn't follow this guy?

Right in the middle of these events, Jesus reminds two disciples that following Him is not always fun and games. He reminds one that He is essentially homeless and tells another that burying his father comes second to discipleship.

If you, like me, wonder what Christ is asking us to give up, the answer is everything. Take a moment to let that sink in -- visualize everything you have. Family? Yes. Friends? Check. Possessions? Yep. Reputation? That, too. Personal security? Gulp.

I am reminded of a C.S. Lewis quote: "We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be." God doesn't promise us that it will be fair -- many of the apostles died gruesome deaths, while Elijah got to get whisked to heaven in a whirlwind.

What He does promise us is the only eternal hope we have in this world. He also promises that His grace is sufficient, He will sustain us, and He will be our strength in circumstances we think we cannot bear.

Discussion Questions

1. Is there a cost of following Christ that you are not currently willing to pay?

2. How can you give this weakness or fear to the Lord?

3. How often do you pray for Christ to sustain you?

4. Do you celebrate Him in the good and bad times?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MATTHEW 6-10 (JANUARY 9-13)

Read Matthew 6:25-34.

What is worry? What do you worry about?
What does God say about worry in these verses?
What things in nature does God tell us He takes care of?
How does He take care of them?
How does God take care of you?

Activity: Make tissue paper flowers. Go to this link and watch the video for directions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXNeVq2RxFU&feature=related
(Note: use a pipe cleaner instead of string to make a stem.)

Once you have completed your flowers. Cut out green leaves and write verse 34 on each leaf. Put these flowers where they will remind you that God will take care of you just like He takes care of the flowers.

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.

  1. kp

    January 11, 2012 06:23 AM

    I liked your first comment about the structure of this chapter that starts with Jesus' massive winning streak. I hadn't noticed that. In addition to his admonition that following him isn't always fun and games, the chapter ends with him being essentially run out of town because saving men caused the people to lose their pigs. How often do I let the fear of losing the pigs in my life keep me from seeing the greater benefit of healed people and

  2. Troy Dandrea

    January 11, 2012 07:35 AM

    Challenging & refreshing reminder, Jeff. Following Him costs but His grace sustains. Hope you & Linde are able to get your Tin Star fix :) and are doing great! Flagstaff doesn't have as quite the delectable tex-mex options.

  3. Paul Rutherford

    January 11, 2012 08:00 AM

    Jeff, great Devo. Fantastic questions for reflection. Thank you.

  4. Gary Stroope

    January 11, 2012 08:02 AM

    Jeff I love to read folks that get to the point..and with ease. Thanks for reminding me this is not a "what can you do for me" band of followers but "I trust you , and I'm going to follow you" tribe. Appreciate you Jeff

  5. Sue Bohlin

    January 11, 2012 08:25 AM

    Way to NAIL the whole chapter, Jeff! I was paying special attention to the circles I had made around the word "touched"--first for the leper, and second for Peter's m-i-l. It struck me that when our Lord healed these very sick people, it wasn't magic; v.17 explains that He took their sickness into His own body yet wasn't contaminated by it. What a contrast to what would happen on the cross, when He didn't just take our sin into Himself, He BECAME sin so that He could put it to death when He died. I marvel along with the disciples in the boat, "What kind of man is this??!!!"

  6. Blake

    January 11, 2012 08:47 AM

    Great reminders, Jeff. Thanks for your insight and encouragement this morning. Very convicting for a guy like me who prefers what is comfortable over the high price of discipleship ...

  7. Lee Danis

    January 11, 2012 09:03 AM

    Jeff Q#4 can be tough. One who has experienced great suffering can leave for a season yet be restored. When we see that, let us pray for the restoration to come soon, and be as patient as the Lord is for it to happen. Very penetrating devo.

  8. Allison Koons

    January 11, 2012 09:57 AM

    LOVE your thoughts, Jeff....question 1 is worth asking every day. I often sit in the audience wishing everyone had as much fun everyday as you guys do on Sunday. That's what His worship team was/is designed to do. I know it's not always easy, and at times costs more than we ever expected. But there's nothing like His will being done "on earth as it is in heaven."

  9. Sheri

    January 11, 2012 11:24 AM

    Wow! How many times do I counter His call with, "hold on, I'm almost ready" when it's clear that he means,"drop it and come now!"? Also, I loved that the demons reiterated that they would be defeated at God's appointed time. Could the disciples have known what that meant at that time? Even when Matthew wrote those words? Thanks for a great devotional!

  10. Charles Cole

    January 11, 2012 11:48 AM

    Jeff, I'm new at Watermark, and I always feel moved by the holy spirit when I am there, in worship service. I joined this devotional to help me sustain throughout the week. I've read these every day, and they have all been very helpful. This one, moved me like none other. Thank you, and bless you!

  11. Missy Richardson

    January 11, 2012 12:45 PM

    Great devo Jeff. It is hard to give up everything--everything--to follow Christ. I have lots of ground to take on that one. Loved the PRC joke! Made me laugh out loud.

  12. Jo Tiller

    January 11, 2012 12:53 PM

    Thank you for illuminating the essence of this chapter so succintly,Jeff. From the Lord's words to my heart!

  13. Sasha Thomas

    January 11, 2012 06:08 PM

    thanks "Nashville"-needed that reminder today~

  14. Sue Bohlin

    January 11, 2012 06:39 PM

    Amen to Missy's comment...LOVED the PRC joke!!

  15. Janna Lewis

    January 12, 2012 06:34 AM

    Wanted you to know how grateful I was for your message yesterday. I had to make a very hard call to a friend. I clung to the C.S. Lewis quote and the last sentence of your devotion. God is faithful to His promises and He worked in my life yesterday. I was also able to share your devotion with a Dad that has recently lost a daughter. It was powerful. Thank you for sharing Jesus from your perspective.

  16. jay Burns

    January 12, 2012 09:02 AM

    Jeff, my wife, Ginny and I run the prodigal and the CS Lewis quote is one I have missed along the way. So pertinent to those who are suffering with any issue. Your insight was awesome this morning. the journey is not easy or painless, but it is the only place where there is life...and for those of us who have experienced that pain (for us a prodigal )I can tell you it was worth it and am better for it. Thanks again

  17. Molly

    January 13, 2012 06:52 AM

    What is the complete answer to #2 question? I could use some help. I remind myself of Steve Martin's character/ Father of the Bride when he is faceTface w the Doberman, saying, "RELEASE" in the most powerful tone he can summon. That dog just hung on. As does fear,

  18. Sue Bohlin

    January 13, 2012 09:59 AM

    Molly, what a great question. Two answers come to mind. First, think about Peter walking on water. He did fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. But when he started looking at the wind and the waves, the fear kicked in. So staying focused on Jesus is HUGE. Secondly, I heard this word of wisdom recently: "We don't trust because we don't know how deeply we are loved." The more we continue to focus on Jesus, working to increase our awareness of the many ways He shows His love to us in personal and intimate ways as well as the big things (like providing for our basic needs like air and water and food and shelter), and letting His word soak into us, our trust will grow because we'll start to believe in our HEARTS that we are loved.

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Jeff Giddens

Jeff Giddens

My name is Jeff Giddens. I have been married to my wife, Linde, for three years now. I think her favorite thing about being married to me is the songs I make up every morning when she wakes up. If you see her around, ask her to sing one. I get to serve on the worship team. Patrick Ryan Clark calls me "Nashville" (my hometown). I would return the favor with "Norman," but let's be honest -- the last thing that guy needs is one more name.