DAY 108

COUNTING THE COST

2 Samuel 3, 4 & 5 and Luke 14:25 – 35

The Old Testament today is full of action (it almost reads like a TV show):

·         We find out David has at this point at least six wives (1 Chronicles 3 will give us the full list of ultimately 7).

·         War between Houses of David and Saul.

·         The House of Saul’s general (named Abner) joins David, but David’s general (named Joab) doesn’t get the word and he, Joab, kills Abner.

·         David is distressed over the mistake and mourns Abner’s death.

·         Then one of Saul’s son’s, Ish-bosheth, is murdered by two of his own captains, they bring his head to David and David avenges that murder.

·         In the end David becomes King over ALL the 12 tribes of Israel for what will be 40 years.

Beyond the action we see David continuing to honor the anointed of God, Saul, and his descendants. And we see David continuing to inquire of the Lord, in this instance regarding whether or not he should go into battle (2 Samuel 5: 19). All of these are good character traits for the king!

In the New Testament we come across Luke’s telling of Jesus’ saying, “take up your cross and follow me.” We read rather dramatic words from Jesus. Followers must hate father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…yes even his own life…count the cost of following says Jesus.

Many have read the words from Luke (and the other Gospels) and rightly wrestled with them. Some have suggested they are hyperbole. Jesus is using an exaggeration to make a point. Others have suggested that he literally means it.

Bishop NT Wright posits two scenarios. Picture a politician standing on a soap box and saying, “If you vote for me you will lose your home and your families…so vote for me!” The second, someone leading an expedition: “From here on it is very dangerous, we will have to leave all our supplies to make it through the tough terrain, and you may want to write a post card to your family, for we may not make it.” Bishop Wright suggests it is much more the second scenario.

Jesus is inviting his disciples then and now to follow him. And He is inviting them not into a battle with Rome, but rather a battle to break the strongholds of evil by becoming people of peace. They no doubt will find themselves on a cross.

Dietrich Bonheoffer, in his book Cost of Discipleship, wrote, “When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die.” Dietrich was a famous German scholar and pastor of the 20^th century who opposed Hitler. Many biographies have been written about him. A recent biography by Eric Metaxas in 2010 is a NY Times bestseller and chronicles this journey for one amazing man.

The same has been true for centuries. Below I have posted a story of a young woman named Perpetua. We have her diary and in it we see her family pleading with her to renounce Christ; she does not. It is one of the most vivid, first hand descriptions of a family divided. Does she hate her family, certainly not! Yet her diary brings Jesus’ words to life…it seems to be more then hyperbole.

The question is really for us. Will we give up everything for Jesus? It is tough to ask hypothetically and the reality is that we can only answer a Divine Call with Divine Grace…don’t put all the pressure on yourself…ask God for His Grace as He calls you to follow.

From Christianity Today on August 8, 2008

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/martyrs/perpetua.html

There are many short write ups about Perpetua, but this one captures some nice quotes from her diary.

One story about a young woman named Perpetua might exemplify Jesus’ teaching. Thanks to her diary, and that of another prisoner, we have some idea of her last days—an ordeal that so impressed the famous Augustine that he preached four sermons about her death.

Perpetua was a Christian noblewoman who, at the turn of the third century, lived with her husband, her son, and her slave, Felicitas, in Carthage (in modern Tunis). At this time, North Africa was the center of a vibrant Christian community. It is no surprise, then, that when Emperor Septimius Severus determined to cripple Christianity (he believed it undermined Roman patriotism), he focused his attention on North Africa. Among the first to be arrested were five new Christians taking classes to prepare for baptism, one of whom was Perpetua.

Her father immediately came to her in prison. He was a pagan, and he saw an easy way for Perpetua to save herself. He entreated her simply to deny she was a Christian.

"Father do you see this vase here?" she replied. " Could it be called by any other name than what it is?"

"No," he replied.

"Well, neither can I be called anything other than what I am, a Christian."

In the next days, Perpetua was moved to a better part of the prison and allowed to breast-feed her child. With her hearing approaching, her father visited again, this time, pleading more passionately: "Have pity on my gray head. Have pity on me, your father, if I deserve to be called your father, if I have favored you above all your brothers, if I have raised you to reach this prime of your life."

He threw himself down before her and kissed her hands. "Do not abandon me to be the reproach of men. Think of your brothers; think of your mother and your aunt; think of your child, who will not be able to live once you are gone. Give up your pride!"

Perpetua was touched but remained unshaken. She tried to comfort her father—"It will all happen in the prisoner's dock as God wills, for you may be sure that we are not left to ourselves but are all in his power"—but he walked out of the prison dejected.

The day of the hearing arrived, Perpetua and her friends were marched before the governor, Hilarianus. Perpetua's friends were questioned first, and each in turn admitted to being a Christian, and each in turn refused to make a sacrifice (an act of emperor worship). Then the governor turned to question Perpetua.

At that moment, her father, carrying Perpetua's son in his arms, burst into the room. He grabbed Perpetua and pleaded, "Perform the sacrifice. Have pity on your baby!"

Hilarianus, probably wishing to avoid the unpleasantness of executing a mother who still suckled a child, added, "Have pity on your father's gray head; have pity on your infant son. Offer the sacrifice for the welfare of the emperor."

Perpetua replied simply: "I will not."

"Are you a Christian then?" asked the governor.

"Yes I am," Perpetua replied.

Her father interrupted again, begging her to sacrifice, but Hilarianus had heard enough: he ordered soldiers to beat him into silence. He then condemned Perpetua and her friends to die in the arena.

Perpetua, her friends, and her slave, Felicitas (who had subsequently been arrested), were dressed in belted tunics. When they entered the stadium, wild beasts and gladiators roamed the arena floor, and in the stands, crowds roared to see blood. They didn't have to wait long.

Immediately a wild heifer charged the group. Perpetua was tossed into the air and onto her back. She sat up, adjusted her ripped tunic, and walked over to help Felicitas. Then a leopard was let loose, and it wasn't long before the tunics of the Christians were stained with blood.

This was too deliberate for the impatient crowd, which began calling for death for the Christians. So Perpetua, Felicitas, and friends were lined up, and one by one, were slain by the sword.