"Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."
Luke 14:33
I read the story of a man who focused his life upon becoming wealthy. From childhood, his parents continually talked to him about being educated and industrious to become financially wealthy. Years after college, he attained his goal. However, after several years of being a man of great wealth, he was not satisfied. He actually gave his wealth to charities. He moved to a small house in an obscure place. He made world-wide news when he gave it all away. His life was simplified and he found happiness.
Jesus asked his disciples to forsake all. Our verse for today may be considered one of the hard-sayings of Jesus. Some may think this is a most unreasonable demand. To understand the statement, we must understand the biblical concept of covenant. In Bible days, to be in covenant with someone meant all you had belonged to the other one, and all the other had belonged to you. This is the same concept that is witnessed in covenant marriage today. So it is in our relationship with God through Christ. In covenant with God, all we have is His. Likewise, all God has is ours in Christ (Romans 8:32).
God will test our faith according to covenant. He even asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac. After Abraham placed his son on the altar, God intervened and stopped the sacrifice. Abraham was willing to hold nothing back from God. He passed the test. Is there something which you are withholding from God? Look for the test of covenant. This covenant concept is witnessed in an old hymn of the church, "All to Jesus I Surrender."
Lord, give us grace when our faith is tested.
