Word@Work, Let God's Word energise your working day!

Gospel Priorities are Different

Matthew 8:18-22
When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, 'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' Another disciple said to him, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' But Jesus told him, 'Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.' (NIVUK)

Every business needs a market; and when people express interest in the products or services they need to be satisfied. Good traders do not turn business away and or advertise the disadvantages of their products. But Jesus was not running that kind of business. The gospel He came to deliver was not a consumer service to make people feel better (it was to tell people that they are sinners who need to repent and be saved). On this occasion, when the crowds came, Jesus ordered the disciples into a boat so that they could leave the people and go some five miles across the water to an uninhabited area.

A rabbi was so impressed with what Jesus was teaching that he volunteered to give up his work in the synagogue to follow Jesus. But Jesus told him that the gospel lifestyle would not be so comfortable, there would be no settled salary or home. Another disciple was keen to follow Jesus but pointed out that he had family responsibilities, a duty to care for his elderly parents until they died. Jesus was abrupt, telling him to get a grip on gospel priorities; the training opportunity of being with Jesus would soon be over; the young man had a choice to make.

Biographies of gospel hearted people often tell of the hardship, poverty, opposition and the need to take tough decisions - even at the cost of providing comfortably for their families. Of course, using the gospel as an excuse to refuse to care for family is wrong (Mark 7:9-13, 1 Timothy 5:8), as is ignoring the vulnerable (James 1:27). But Jesus never promised comfort, wealth or an easy child-focussed family life (as some in the West seem to think, today). Jesus said that gospel priorities demanded personal and family sacrifice, often without the applause of the crowd.

The kind of life we live is often conditioned by our upbringing and the values our parents taught us; our personal ego and desire for approval by others; our personal and family financial ambitions; the level of comfort we think we deserve; and the people, money and things which we think will make us more powerful. The question to ask, in the light of our limited lifespan (when we will leave this world with nothing), is: "How should I shape my lifestyle with gospel priorities, so that when I meet the Lord, He will be pleased?" That is a big question which few dare to ask. But we have to ask it and live out the Christ-like answers if we are to be His disciples.

Prayer 
King of heaven. Thank You for this reminder that You do things differently to the world and have a different set of priorities, like the gospel priorities of Jesus and the apostles. I repent of having chosen to be sucked into the world's mould, shaping my life, and that of my family, on the things which will soon pass away. Please help me realise that the priorities of a gospel life are not shared by the world, and will involve some hardship. Help me to embrace Your priorities and whatever discomfort may come. For the sake of Your Name. Amen.
Bible Book: 

© Dr Paul Adams