Discipleship 2 – Distractions - Tuesday 26th Sept 06
Luke 8:19-21 (GNB)
19Jesus’ mother and brothers came to him, but were unable to join him because of the crowd. 20Someone said to Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you.” 21Jesus said to them all, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
I had been thinking for some time of resigning my post in education in order to do Christian work. It was a big step and not to be done without thought. But my children were grown up and left home and, as a couple, we felt God wanted us to do it. But, there was that doubt that niggled and I shared it with my brother. Although he is as committed as me, both of us knew of friends who had done this and been deeply unhappy and some had completely failed to realise their hopes. My brother’s advice was sound: you are doing a great job in the church and in full time employment: “Stick to your ‘last’”: stick with what you know!
He had my best interests at heart. And I wonder if Jesus’ mother and bothers had the same ‘best interests’ for Him: well meaning, but what might have happened to Christianity if he’d listened to them? What would have happened to me if I’d listened to my brother?
Jesus had hard words to say in response (v21), but we understand why he said it. Effectively I had to say the same.
Have you listened to those you loved – and been distracted? It is never too late to do something about it.
How about it? | 