Kiss the Frog

Luke 14:26 If anyone comes to me an does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me can not be my disciple. 28 for which of you desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish"

33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has can not be my disciple.

These words above are some of the most demanding and challenging words that Jesus ever spoke. People for centuries have tried to soften, pull down and find cracks in this ultimatum of Jesus. His blunt words are "Whoever does not pick up their cross (instrument of brutal execution of one's body) and follow me can not be my disciple". "Whoever who does not renounce all that He has can not be my disciple". Jesus lovingly says "count the cost" before you come to follow as you will lose anything that has any meaning to you. You will lose your identity, control of your schedule, possessions, thoughts, passions, ambition, desires and work. You will lose your privileges (if you have any), right to use your money as you please (namely on you) and social standing. Jesus says if you want to be my disciple you will have to come hating everything else in comparison.

No doubt these are tough words for our ears to hear. I have read many books and had many sermons preached that have pierced my privileged American Heart. What do you think Jesus is really after in this picture?

In the American interpretation of the Brother's Grimm fairy tale, The frog Prince, The beautiful Queen encounters a slimy frog. As most of you know, she has to perform an apparently dreadful duty of kissing the frog. It only appears dreadful, because a spell has masked the true beauty of the Handsome Prince to her eyes. She enters into the kiss dutifully, as her eyes are deceived. As the spell is broken and the prince is revealed in His splendor and beauty, she is overwhelmed with Joy at the Work of her kiss. What seemed like a dreadful duty, was really the most joyous work available and her rewards were everything that a fairy tale princess could want. The Handsome Prince who would take care of her for happily ever after.

I have met people who take Jesus challenge in the verses above as a lifelong tag of misery, debasing themselves as the center of the challenge. The center of Jesus challenge and calling is Him as our identity and treasure, not our works. The problem is our sin nature masks the beautiful invitation of Jesus, just like the spell makes the Handsome Prince look like a frog. We can read these tall words and think , "Oh man, if I follow Jesus my life will be devoid of any joy, identity, and life. It will be a dreadful mundane imprisonment." In fact, just the opposite is true. Losing yourself in Christ is the only way to have any true joy, lasting identity and freedom from spiritual imprisonment. We must recognize that our flesh wants to mask Jesus offer as a dreadful duty that sucks the life out of you. Again, the truth is that Jesus is offering the only true life source available. Once someone counts the costs of following, and submits to the graceful cleansing of Christ's blood washing over the power of fleshy disillusionment, one will realize that dying in the flesh is beautiful. The ultimate handsome prince will truly be our refuge and there will truly be a happily ever after.

Now be aware that Jesus often asks us to do seemingly dreadful and dangerous things once we are His. Giving up our money, time,position in life, privileges, and all of the things that once made us who we were. The difference will be that the believer sees this as simply a joyful reward to serve His Savior King, not a dutiful task to approach with misery. Jesus is not inviting us to prove our worth to Him by our far reaching self empowered sacrifice. He is offering us a chance to rest in His.

So how do these words strike your heart? Is Jesus' offer a dread to you? Does it send you into a "i will prove my self to you" mode?

Jesus' ministry is about drawing sons and daughters to His feet for worship. he is about freeing people from misery and dread as we feast with the King at His table to celebrate His work. Personally, I know that I need more faith each day to see the Joy of toting around my Cross that kills Chad and tranforms me into Christ. The costs of discipleship are not mine to pay at all. Jesus has already done that in my place. The choice of free will simply ask my soul and yours, "Is Christ identity and work worthy enough to replace yours?" The answer is an obvious "yes". Unfortunately many people can't see how beautiful Christ is. they see the offer of "follow me" just like kissing a frog.

If you can not see the joy in following, please pray that Jesus would help you break the hold that sin has in your life.