Jesus, I Can’t Feel my Legs!

Scripture

“When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:18-22 (NLT)

Observation

james: “Jesus! I want to follow you!!”

JESUS:  Are you sure that you want to follow me?

james: Yep! anywhere you go, I’ll follow you!

JESUS: Do you really know what you are saying? Are you really prepared to stay on with me until the end?

james: Oh yeah, not a problem, I just had a cup of coffee and I’m feeling great!

JESUS: Oh, wait, I just had a thought… you’re going to fall flat on your face.

james: Jesus, that’s not cool, that’s not a great way to encourage me!

Jesus: James, you’re a knuckle head. You’re not going to be able to anything in your own power. Following me, being a disciple,  isn’t like taking a walk in the park when you feel good. It’s a consistent walk, one that you need to be prepared to die for.

james: Oh, it’s starting to sound like a pretty big commitment. I’m having doubts as to my preparedness for this journey. Maybe I should take a break, read a little, go to school again, get really prepared to follow you until I die.

JESUS: Uh, how about you just follow me right now? I’ll teach you as we walk.

james: Jesus, I don’t know how to walk…I can’t feel my legs!

JESUS: Dude, get off the ground! Here, take my hand and I’ll help you…good, now walk with me.

Application

Being a disciple isn’t a decision that can be made easily. It’s not a decision that can be made half-heartedly or only once in your life.

You: “Oh, so I take it you’re not a once saved, always saved person”

I’m not talking about salvation, I’m talking about discipleship. Being a disciple is something that you need to work on every single day of your life. It’s a walk that you need to work on, a walk that requires consistent dedication…a daily walk.

I’ve got a long way to go. Too many times in my life I’ve allowed my feelings to dicatate my actions. Thank God for grace. Take heart! Wake up each day with the understanding that it’s a walk that can be made with Jesus at your side. You’re not walking alone.

Prayer

Help me to wake up each and every day and first focus on you. Help me to choose to walk with you daily. Thank you for the grace that you have extended to me when I fail.