Giving All

What is the price of believing?

While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn-- and I would heal them." Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. - John 12:36b-43

Jesus's own followers had trouble believing in him.

Even though they saw his works and listened to his teachings, they doubted. 

On the other hand, the Pharisees may have wanted to believe but were afraid. They did not want to damage their position in the community.

Putting ourselves before God is a sin. That's the simple way to look at this.

We say we would never do this, just like Peter said he would never deny Christ, but we do. We let our fear drive our decisions.

When I was young, learning about the saints, I was taught to admire those who became martyrs for Christ. I believed that this is the greatest form of devotion to God, to give one's life for one's faith. But would I do it?

Do I live by that belief today?

Imagine Jesus appearing before you today and saying, "Come." Would you go?

Or would you think of all that you would have to leave behind and hesitate?

Jesus told a parable that included a son who said No, but then decided to go. This is what we should think about before we are called. Will we hesitate but then go?

More to come...