The Tipping Point

This is part 1 of 2 of Lesson 2: Lessons from Would-be Disciples. Click here to go back to the introduction to this lesson.

We’re going to have a look at two ‘would-be’ disciples who stood at the tipping point – the brink of decision.

The scribe – counting the cost

Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matt 8:19-20

Jesus felt that it was important to point out the real nature of His mission. It wasn’t a path to wealth and ‘earthly’ influence, it was a simple life of service and sacrifice. The statement above was to ensure that the scribe understood clearly that Jesus didn’t even have his own house, let alone an earthly material kingdom.

In the Christian world today we hear certain teachers who focus on the ‘prosperity gospel’ – one where the Lord is supposed to bless with material and personal benefits. Following God’s principles does have its own rewards. But we need to balance this with the reality that following Jesus will also involve sacrifice and suffering.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matt 16:24 (NKJV)

But to be balanced, the gospel is the way to true happiness and prosperity. It’s just that the path to this end is radically different to what many would have you believe. Jesus says:

…My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. John 10:10 (NLT)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

How about us – can we say that despite the troubles and the crosses, we have the peace and fullness that Jesus promises? Note that Jesus hasn’t guaranteed perpetual happiness on this earth, but an underlying peace and fullness and joy.

Case 2: The unnamed disciple – a lesson in procrastination & commitment.

Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matt 8:21-22

This text at first glance sounds harsh. But Jesus was not concerned about the disciple having a quick break to bury his father. Remember this is the same Jesus who wants us to ‘honour our mother and father’.

The study guide this week advises that the disciple’s father in this situation was likely not dead. The support for this is that if the man’s father was dead then the custom was to bury the father straight away. There would not be a need to put off following Jesus for any lengthy time. The situation was that the disciple was probably putting off following Jesus until some unknown time in the future when his father had died and all the family estate issues had been sorted out.

So Jesus’ admonition is because the disciple was using his family situation as an excuse to avoid having to fully commit to Him straight away.

And this gets to the heart of our human nature. Once we procrastinate a hard decision, this often leads to the decision never being made. It’s not that the Holy Spirit is like a hack telemarketer who only offers the bargain sale if you ‘buy right now’. But it’s a reflection of our own natures and the ease of avoiding difficult change.

Indecision becomes decision with time. ~Author Unknown

Questions for discussion below or just your own reflection:

1. Is it wrong to follow Jesus for the benefits He promises, both here and now, as well as in the future?
2. Is the Lord calling us to act now on something related to our walk with Him? What is the danger of not acting now?

The next part of our discussion this week looks at the ‘Rich Young Ruler’ as we think about the things that we hold dear that might become a barrier to us following Jesus.

Click on What The Heart Holds Dear to continue