“Risky Business”

Matthew 10: 39 “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

“Nobody said it would be easy.” Has anyone ever said that to you? Did it make you defensive, did it make you want to give up, or did it help you persevere and accept whatever challenge you faced? Jesus made it pretty clear that following him would not always be easy. In chapter 10 of Matthew’s gospel, he said some pretty uncomfortable stuff. Jesus said he did not come to bring peace the way we understand it, that to follow him we must love God more than our families, and that we may lose our lives for his sake. That is some tough talk!

The reason for that “tough talk” is that there is commitment and risk in following Jesus. Being a Christian means taking our worldview and turning it upside down. Instead of mere tolerance, there is real reconciliation, instead of grudging welcome there is radical hospitality, instead of fleeting forgiveness, there is life-changing mercy and grace, instead of fickle acceptance, there is divine and everlasting love and life.

Following Jesus is “risky business”. It will not always be easy and at times it might be really hard. The good news is that it is worth it. Choosing to follow the son of God, is also joy-filled, hopeful, and life-giving business! Thanks be to God.