The Cost of Discipleship

In the Bible Cell at present we are doing a study on the Book of Genesis and we just completed Abraham’s section. One of the striking thing that we have discovered is the way Yahweh challenged Abraham to follow him. To someone not acquainted with Yahweh, the person will call Yahweh mean or terrifying etc. And I presume even at one point Abraham was terrified and disillusioned. But the main thing about Abraham is he persisted in his relationship with Yahweh.

One of the main things Yahweh asks of Abraham is leave your family and the security of your home, and village behind and also his identity and to come follow Him to the Promised Land. In return Abraham would become a father of nations, have a perpetual dynastic rulership and he would be the ultimate blessing to the whole world. Abraham follows, but according to his own understanding. One of that thing is his bringing of Lot, his nephew on his covenantal adventure with Yahweh. But that was precisely what he was told to cut himself from (family). All such things become a snare in Abrahams life, trying to pull him down. Eventually, Abraham cuts himself away from Lot. But in the bargain, he discovers Yahweh’s faithfulness. He is shown by Yahweh that, though Abraham was asked to cut relationship from his past, Yahweh never said He would cut himself from Abraham’s past. The incidents of the rescue of Lot from when he was being taken away as slave, and his rescue in the Sodom & Gomorrah, actually tell/show Abraham that God was/is in charge of everything he had surrender to Him.

See todays Gospel in this light. If you cannot see, understand and are not convicted that God Is Good and He therefore can never demand or do wrong, you will miss the Truth about God. God is calling all of us like Abraham. Some will reject that call, terrified by the demands placed and because of their own insecurities. Others will follow, but like sheep. Others will ask their Father in Heaven; ‘How, What, When’ (have purposefully left out why), even as they surrender to God’s Will, like Mary. Know this, God is Good and our Father, therefore we can trust Him, and inquire of Him or place any questions/doubts before Him.  Those who do not see God as Good or Father, are those who fear to ask of Him even the right things, because they see themselves as servants and God as Master. But to those who see God as Father, answers will be provided and there will be more revelation of God’s Fatherhood in their life.