You cannot be my disciple!

Have you ever imagined listening to these words from the Lord Jesus Himself? “You cannot be my disciple.” By repeating three times the same words, they certainly do not go unnoticed. Many think that they’re able to be His disciples, but He put some conditions that deal with sensitive areas of your life, perhaps things that upset your structure or touch their feelings.

Jesus first spoke of personal relationships:

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26

He does not mean that we should despise or disrespect our family, let alone stop loving them. What He does not want is to have competition between our loyalty to Him and the ones we love deeply. We’re talking about priorities. Who do we put first, Jesus or our family? If it is other people, it means that we are not ready to be His disciple.

Now He points to the personal goals:

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27

Are we willing to submit our will desires to God's will? This means to say “No” to what we want and desire, and say "Yes" to what He wants. This is a kind of resignation for those who want server to God.

Finally Jesus mentions the personal possessions:

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

The disciples of Jesus can be owners of a many things, but nothing can possess them. That is our heart cannot be in material things. Our life cannot depend on goods. Our whole being must be fully in Jesus. Not everyone is willing to do it, like the rich young man.

As you can see it’s not so simple to serve God. Only those who are willing to put God above their personal relationships, their goals and their assets are ready.

You are ready?