It’s Not An Easy Road

If the story of what Moses and Aaron went through after their first meeting with Pharaoh taught me anything – is that my calling, my journey, my walk with Jesus will not be easy, and I must keep on going.

But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take
the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.”
Exodus 5:4  ESV

When I think about it some more, I realise that am going to end up serving someone. I read this amazing quote from a book,  Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture, by Alastair J. Roberts and Andrew Wilson. I think that said it well:

“Time and again…Paul uses the exodus  story not just to remind Christians of our liberty, but also of our responsibility…[This is something that] is actually at the heart of Christian discipleship: Israel was set free from serving one master in order that they might serve a new one. God’s purpose for the plagues  and the confrontations, the water-crossings and the fire, was not that Israel might be free to wander off and do their own thing, but that they might “serve” him (Exod. 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3). The contrast in Exodus, in fact, is less between slavery and freedom, as we might expect, and more between slavery to Pharaoh…and service to the LORD. It is as if…service to nobody is not an option.” (145-146) 

In deciding to follow Jesus, how do I stay true to my calling, journey, and walk with Jesus, in order to make it a little bit more easier?

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. – Luke 18:1  ESV

There are a few pointers in this chapter to think about. There are two parables Jesus gives on prayer. One is the need for persistent prayer and the other is having an attitude of prayer that recognises my sin and complete dependence on God’s graciousness.

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? –  Luke 18:8  ESV

Even Luke knows that following Jesus is hard. Will I keep my heart fixed on Jesus or will I love this world? How can I endure to the end? Is the danger regarding my faith and my love for Jesus at a place where it can be swallowed up by the sheer ordinaries of my daily life?

To bring that point home, Luke also tells us the story of the rich ruler. Another troubling story that might just be too radical. I know it had to be shared this way because if Jesus had given us this message softly  we might have missed its truth. This entire chapter (Luke 18) has challenged me to what the character of discipleship looks like. It will not be easy, but I know Jesus has invited Himself to walk with me.