Few Chosen

…someone said to Him [Jesus], “I will follow you wherever you go.”…Jesus said…“Foxes have holes, and birds…have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”…another… said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”…Jesus said…“Leave the dead to bury their own dead… But…go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”…“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:57-62

In Matthew 22:14, Jesus said, “…many are called, but few are chosen.” In our verses today, we see examples of some who were called to discipleship but, conditions were given by them, that seemed reasonable, to delay their following Jesus. Another time, in Luke 14:26, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” In these statements by our Lord, we must understand that, to be a Christian, we are saying, “I will follow Jesus wherever You send me,” and, that following Him means being willing to give up all worldly things to follow Him. There are no conditions upon which we become a child of God. We have no say in our salvation because it is a work of God alone. In the same manner, following Jesus is to be done without letting worldly things, even family, be a hindrance. Jesus is talking about the priorities we must place in our life as a Christian. It is Christ first, then all other things and people. The Christian’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, beginning with salvation in this life and continuing into and through eternity. To many, this is a hard saying of Jesus that may be disagreeable. Jesus teaches many truths that people find hard to believe or accept. As Christians, we must understand that our Savior and Lord knows best what we need to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And, He has provided, in His Holy Bible, the way Christians must live, in this life, to enter into eternal life with Him. May our God lead you and give you spiritual understanding on how to live a life totally given to Him.

Source: S C Ball February 7, 2023