A person in charge of a
lighthouse along a dangerous coast was given enough oil for one month and told
to keep the light burning every night. One day a woman asked for oil so that
her children could stay warm. Then a farmer came. His son needed oil for a lamp
so he could read. Another needed some for an engine. The guard saw each as a
worthy request and gave some oil to satisfy all. By the end of the month, the
tank in the lighthouse was dry. That night the beacon was dark and three ships
crashed on the rocks. More than one hundred lives were lost. An inquiry was
held. The lighthouse attendant explained what he had done and why. But the
prosecutor replied, "You were given only one task: to keep the light
burning. Every other thing was secondary. You have no excuse."
They were hard decisions. To follow Christ means to make some hard
decisions. It is not an easy road!
Person approaches Jesus – “I
will follow you wherever you go” – Foxes have dens, birds of the sky have
nests, Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
Rome has occupied Israel and they lord it over them – more and more our
government challenges our beliefs – so, do we give in? Go along? St. Thomas
More – “I am the king’s good servant, but God’s first.”
Jesus calls another “follow
me” – Let me go and bury my father first.
Who could be against burying father?
Points to excuses. There
is always an excuse! Ask ourselves –
will this action lead me to heaven or away from heaven?
I will follow, but
(conditions) “first let me say farewell to those at home” Conditions – what is in it for me? What am I getting out of this?
It is not a simple thing to
be a disciple!!!
We have chosen the Cross
and yet we look back at the easy road we have left behind. We miss lazy Sunday
mornings, numerous relationships, gossip, or a career uncomplicated by ethics.
A League of their Own “There’s no crying in baseball”
Dottie want to quit packing
husband at war - tension with sister -
grind on the road
It’s too hard - Manager:
It’s supposed to be hard - that is what makes it great!
So
remember the Yoke? My yoke is easy & my burden is light? The yoke of Christ is a double yoke. He walks
alongside us as we move toward His promise of joy, love and the peace which
surpasses all understanding.
