This is tough guy talk. This is uncomfortable talk. This is the junk you do not want to hear on a Labor Day weekend.
Instead you want rah-rah-sis-cum-bah life is great and another election season is almost over – yay God! You expect to see flags-a- flying. And Labor Day parades!
The very least the church can do is to pray for all laborers and support all those who toil…
I am sure that for most of us the election cannot be over soon enough! How many days are left?
Most of us are counting them down with the candidates. It can’t end quickly enough. It is downright painful on all sides of the aisle.
So, while” they” are scurrying for every last minute vote with about 60 days left –
Jesus turns around to the crowd that is following behind him and says – “Go away!” You know you want to! You are just coming around for the ride!
What is it?
You like the excitement? You like the healings? Is that what the attraction is?
You like where your feet are taking you? Well trust me, you won’t like it for long!
Did I tell you, I want, I expect 100%?
Our Gospel text for this weekend – begins and ends – “with an all or nothing” injunction – about following Jesus. There have been two practical illustrations added in between.
So, this weekend we have before us – one of those “HARD SAYINGS” weekends – nice!
Great crowds were going along with him, the scriptures say. Jesus has a large “popular following.” The multitudes loved him. And, rightfully so!
But for some reason, or for whatever reason it sounds like he wants to thin out the crowds – it almost sounds like he is intentionally “pushing them away.”
Scoot! Go! Now is your chance!
Leave!
“They say” his numbers were good – they were way up there. He was running at a 95% popularity rating.
Understand that’s 95% in favor of him, his work, his mission and his ministry…as opposed to some 60% that do not like either candidate.
We are dealing with disapproval ratings…while he was dealing with “through the roof” approval ratings!
Whenever the scriptures say “great crowds” were following him…we take that as being a positive thing. Well hold on…a bit…
The truth of the matter is “great crowds” are usually problematic.
These are not disciples…per se.
They are definitely not apostles.
These are they who hop on the bandwagon. These are the ones who go along for the ride. These are the ones that are there for the excitement of it all. These are the ones who are associating themselves with all the positive energy and the good vibes. These are the ones who come to see for themselves – up close and personal. These are the observers…the voyeurs.
If you had a backache, he could heal it.
If you had a headache, he could heal it.
If you had heartache, he could heal it.
If you were blind, lame, leprous, deaf, were in some way deformed, he could heal it.
He was even called by some, the “great physician.” It was further said about him that he could heal all your problems and all your infirmities…
So the numbers kept growing…and increasing. Things were getting out of hand and out of control!
We are talking “hordes of people.”
“You need to calculate the cost in advance!”
You need to know “what” you are getting yourself into.
You have to renounce all that you have!
This can cost you everything you own. This can cost you your life!
Nothing and No one is more important than God in your life, you understand that right? God must take precedence.
Nothing, no thing trumps God.
This is not just another traveling show! This is not just razzle-dazzle!
This is life and this is death – and this is “your” eternity.
I tell you, it’s an “all or nothing” situation!
And you understand how the crowds react – whatever you “say” Master Jesus, we will do!
Things that make you wanna go –Hmm!