Jesus Advises His Followers
It’s Going to Be Tough Going
If anyone thinks for a moment that following a Christian life is a recipe for happiness, think again.
Jesus is clear that He asks a great deal of those who follow Him. It’s not going to be easy.
This passage contains some harsh words. Jesus actually talks about hating your family!
This week’s object is a blindfold. (This week’s lesson could work with older children, too.)
Arrange in advance to have a volunteer from your congregation who is articulate. Have him or her wear a blindfold and try to follow you as you move around the chancel or part of the church—following nothing but your voice.
Ask him or her how it feels. Give them time to consider their experience. The answers might not come right away.
Perhaps they longed to grab hold of a family member or friend. Perhaps they longed to just sit down and find something they could do that might be easier. Perhaps they were tempted to peek. Perhaps they will describe how all their attention—every faculty—was focused on just one thing—following you.
That’s the kind of devotion Jesus expects of his followers. He wants no distractions—not family, not work, not studies or hobbies. None of the usual excuses. He wants us to be ready with every molecule of our existence to follow.
Pick up that cross.
