What do you make of today’s Gospel reading?

Jesus makes three requests of his followers: (1) that they are all in, (2) that they accept the cross, and (3) that they are willing to give up all that they own. Imagine what they must have thought listening to these demands. It’s not hard to imagine this – just consider how you feel about them now. That’s what I’ve been doing this week as I contemplated this Gospel reading.

And frankly, it has been a real challenge. I’ve been asking myself: Do I prioritize following Jesus higher than everything… and everyone… else in my life? Would I willingly accept the cross as he did? And am I willing to give up all my possessions to be a true follower?

If this is a test, I don’t get an A.

How about you? How are you doing on this test?

I think there may be another way of looking at this, however. Rather than easy versus hard, I wonder if we should consider time, as in short-term versus long-term? I wonder if this is what Jesus was getting at.

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie about characters who make a deal with the devil? All those stories have the same plot line. A character wants something very badly and chooses a short-term gain over whatever the long-term implications may be. And… as those stores always seem to go… they end up paying a heavy price for that choice. Eventually. 

Think about some of the most famous villains of all time: Voldemort, Thanos, Sauron… Satan. It’s always the same. They chose some type of near-term pleasure or power, but in the end, things go badly for them. Very badly.

Heroes do the exact opposite. I’ll choose some real-world examples: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Joan of Arc… Jesus. They all experienced some grave hardship for the sake of a longer-term benefit.

Remember that Jesus was tempted at the very outset of his ministry by Satan who promised freedom from hunger, safety from suffering, and all glory and wealth. Had Jesus made that deal, he would have gained all those things. But he would have given up our salvation. That’s a heavy price… and thankfully, one he was not willing to pay. And so, he is the hero of our story.

Today… that very hero is asking his disciples to be fully committed, to be willing to suffer for what they believe, and to accept poverty. Those are short term sacrifices. In return, they get eternal life.

We are all called to take this same test. As I said, I don’t get an A on it… but today’s gospel is a good reminder to me that I can do better, that I must take the long view, that I should not think about the hardships of discipleship, but rather the fact that Jesus is calling me to follow so that I can experience joy, peace, meaning, purpose, and love… for all of time.

And it’s a good reminder that it’s not about arriving… but rather following.

In a way this is a test. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to study harder.