对耶稣来说，不仅传道过程中需要全神贯注，最终的目标更是——就是当祂被钉在十字架上面对可怕的死亡的时候。耶稣告诉那些愿意跟随祂的人，跟随祂意味着没有休息，没有栖身之所，让他们清楚知道这个旅程是如何的艰辛。祂又告诉另一些人，跟随祂意味着牺牲与家人一起哭丧。如此这样的情况，你还愿意跟随耶稣吗？
如果你正计划一次长途旅行，比如说，去布拉格或马丘比丘，你很可能会事先做许多准备。但只要你愿意付上代价，你就会去成。一旦坐上飞机，再抱怨代价就没意义了。同样地，耶稣一开始就告诉门徒有关耶路撒冷之行所需要付上的代价，是很自然的事。
当然，这是个高昂又苛刻的代价，而且一切都由耶稣做主。你不能选择住宿条件，或请假去履行家庭义务。套用耶稣的话说，你必须单纯地跟随祂。
跟随耶稣的代价意味着，向我们自己的欲望死去，并把祂放在一切事物的首位，包括舒适、家庭、朋友、事业、理想，甚至我们在这地上的生命。但只有当我们放下一切属世的牵挂时，我们才配得上跟随和事奉耶稣。
主啊，感谢祢详细告诉我们这旅程的代价，更感谢祢以自己的生命为我们付上了代价。求帮助我们心甘乐意地事奉祢。阿们。
路加福音 9:57-62
57 他们走路的时候，有一人对耶稣说：“你无论往哪里去，我要跟从你。”
58 耶稣说：“狐狸有洞，天空的飞鸟有窝，只是人子没有枕头的地方。”
59 又对一个人说：“跟从我来！”那人说：“主，容我先回去埋葬我的父亲。”
60 耶稣说：“任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你只管去传扬神国的道。”
61 又有一人说：“主，我要跟从你，但容我先去辞别我家里的人。”
62 耶稣说：“手扶着犁向后看的，不配进神的国。”
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62
For Jesus, not only the journey required a diligent focus; so did the ultimate goal — a horrible death by crucifixion on a cross. Jesus removed any doubt about the difficulties of the journey by telling someone who wanted to follow him that this meant no rest and no bed. He told someone else that following him meant sacrificing time with his grieving family. Would you follow Jesus under those conditions?
If you’re planning a long trip — say, to Prague or Machu Picchu, you’re likely to do a lot of advance planning. But if you’re willing to pay the price, you go. Grumbling about the cost once you’re in the air is pointless. Similarly, it’s only natural for Jesus to tell his disciples at the beginning of this journey to Jerusalem what it will cost them.
Of course, it’s a high and demanding price — and Jesus makes all the decisions. You don’t get to choose accommodations or to take time off for family obligations. You must simply follow Jesus, on his terms.
The cost of following Jesus means dying to our own desires and placing him ahead of everything else: comfort, family, friends, career, ideals — even our life on this earth. Only when we have unburdened ourselves of all earthly concerns will we be fit to follow and serve Jesus.
Thank you, Lord, for detailing the cost of the journey, and for paying the price for us with your own life. Help us to willingly serve you. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
