SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1298

“For Love or Gain”

Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” – Matthew 8:18-20

The Scribe in our reference Scripture most likely saw an opportunity to join a movement that someone of his education could benefit from. He saw an opportunity to advance into a position of power, and respect from others. Jesus explained to him the cost of following Him.

One of my favorite movies is Fiddler on the Roof. As I meditated on this devotional topic, one song from that movie came to mind, ‘Do You Love Me?’

Tevye asks his wife, Golde ‘Do You Love Me?’ After some hesitation and confusion about the question, Golde responds that after 25 years she has washed clothes, cooked meals, cleaned, borne children etc. Tevye is not satisfied with the answer and again asks, ‘Do you love me?’ to which Golde replies, ‘I am your wife!’ Gently, Tevye persists and asks, ‘Do you love me?’ to which Golde eventually replies ‘I suppose I do.’

We are the Christian church – followers of Jesus. We are The Bride of Christ. Jesus is the Groom and He asks us, individually and collectively, ‘Do You Love Me?’

Why do you follow Jesus? Is it for Love or Gain?

Gain – Some follow Jesus for what they can get in this world: money, power, position.

Judas Iscariot followed Jesus for the money bag and for the promise of power and position since he believed that Jesus would overthrow Roman rule and set up a kingdom here on earth.

“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. – John 12:5-6

We see this motive played out in some churches and ministries where individuals seek prominent positions of authority, not to serve, but rather to self-serve.

And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed, they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. – 2 Peter 2:2-3

Others want to follow, but on their own terms. There is much to gain from the world, and they put following Jesus somewhere on their ‘to-do’ list. They follow a Christian tradition rather than Jesus. They may say: ‘Lord, Lord, look at what we did for you.’ (Matthew 7:21-22) but Jesus will say, ‘I never knew you.’

Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” – Matthew 8:21-22

Still others follow a Christian tradition solely out of fear of going to hell. Jesus is a ‘fire escape’ and their relationship with Him is not based on love.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18

Many people follow Christian traditions that espouse a prosperity doctrine. Their relationship with Jesus is transactional, like a heavenly ATM.

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. – John 6:26

Jesus asks us, ‘Do you love Me?’

Love – We need to be honest with ourselves. Is our Christianity based upon Love or Gain?

Is our relationship with Jesus characterized by religious tradition and works or genuine love for Him?

Is Jesus merely our therapist, fire escape, or ATM or is Jesus our Lord, who died in our place so that our sins could be forgiven and that through Him and He alone, we have eternal life?

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us; We love because he first loved us. – Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:19

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. – John 14:23

May the Holy Spirit open the eyes of your heart to truly appreciate and embrace the spiritual gift of forgiveness and salvation that you have through Jesus. May your heart overflow with love for Him and may your heart’s desire be to follow Him in a deep, personal, and intimate love relationship.

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. – Psalm 91:14