The Call and the Cost

 Genesis 34-36; Luke 14 

“…Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full…”

Luke 14:21, 23

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

Luke 14:33

The harvest of souls, to which Christ calls us to give ourselves, includes two aspects which appear to be in tension with one other. The priority of filling God’s banquet hall with whomever responds to the Gospel, principally the poor, crippled, blind, and lame, is combined with Christ’s call to give up everything we have to become his disciples. On closer examination, these two principles are related. Those willing to give up everything are often those who have nothing. The Lord of the harvest is inviting everyone willing to give up their lives, to find their life in him and his kingdom. This is good news for the poor, but bad news for the rich.

Are we seeking first the kingdom of God?

“Lord Jesus, I surrender all. Knowing you, serving you, following you is my greatest treasure.”