"It's too hard"

Jere and Susan tell the story of a neighbor who was not born a Christian but who has apparently spent some time considering the life of Christ and the patterns and practices of those who strive to follow Jesus. He is impressed by the quality of Jesus’ life and teaching – and by the faithfulness of some Christians he has known. But for their neighbor, the “bottom line” is: It’s too hard.

Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Read Chapters 5-7 of The Gospel According to Matthew.) would be enough to frustrate Jere and Susan’s neighbor. Paradoxes emerge immediately:

The Beatitudes contend that true blessing comes to those who rely upon God, even in the face of overwhelming challenges;

We are to let our “light shine before others” and, at the same time, do good deeds, give alms, pray, and fast in secret;

We are to keep even the “least of the commandments” but follow Jesus’ lead even when his fulfilling of the Law seems to break the Law as we understand it;

Not only are we to trust in the Providence of God (“Consider the lilies of the field”), we must recognize the enslaving power of money and things;

We must avoid evil in our own lives while forgiving, serving, and praying for those who are behaving badly – and never judge them.

In moments, the neighbor’s wisdom seems “on target”: It’s too hard to follow Jesus.

Two transformational dynamics emerge for those who would follow Jesus:

“For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven”; and,

A true disciple “listens to these words of mine and acts on them”.

To walk with Jesus, we must trust him to foster in us the new life of the kingdom of heaven – now, not later – and live as evidence of Jesus’ presence.

It can be hard – but not too hard – to be a disciple of Christ. Jesus’ invitation “rings” as true to day as it did on that mountain long ago, “Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well.”