ALL IN

In the night recently I heard this:

‘All in… In all… All the time.’

This was clearly a reference/riddle about the demands that Jesus asked of those who wish to follow him. ‘All in’ is to be completely committed. ‘In all’ means any who are making the decision to be a disciple. ‘All the time’ was a reference to being a follower all the time without the separation of secular and spiritual. There is no such thing.

“The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)

The way Jesus put it is shocking and puts strain on any milky and mild way we might choose on ‘being a Christian.’ The scandal is this: We are asked not to love anything more than we love Jesus. This is a tough instruction. It doesn’t mean we can’t love others, it just means we are to love Jesus more. It is a warning that being a follower may be very costly. Consider the cost. Don’t jump in until we can jump all the way in… all the time.

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Jesus