Alan Smith tells the story that during a confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia in 1964, a group of Gurkhas from Nepal were asked if they would be willing to jump from transport planes into combat if the need arose. The Gurkhas had the right to turn down the request because they had never been trained as paratroopers.
The Gurkhas usually agreed to anything, but on this occasion they rejected the plan. However, the next day they sought out the British officer who made the request and said they had reconsidered and were prepared to jump under the following conditions: The ground was marshy or reasonably soft with no rocky outcrops and they wanted the plane to fly as slowly as possible at no more that 100 feet high.
The British officer assured the Gurkhas that all these conditions could be met except one. To jump from only 100 feet was impossible, because the parachutes would not open in time from that height.
Then the Gurkhas said, “Oh, will we be wearing parachutes? You didn’t mention parachutes before. In that case we’ll jump anywhere with parachutes!”
Commitment. Those men were committed. To the point of jumping out of an airplane without a parachute! Isn’t that the kind of commitment Christ demands of his followers.
Luke records Jesus’ interaction with three men that speak of the issue of commitment.
“Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (LK. 9:57-62)
Here Jesus points out three things that may keep us from following Him.
(1) The uncounted cost (vs. 57-58). Jesus wants only those who are truly converted. He says the way is not easy. Sometimes there is no rest for your weary head. There is a price to be paid.
(2) The unburied corpse (vs 59-60). Like the man in the text, some claim interest in following Jesus, but are preoccupied with the corpses of this world. Committed disciples of Christ must put Him first.
(3) The unforsaken circle (vs. 61-62). Following Jesus demands severing relationships that will impede our progress or hinder our Christian walk.
Now, think about what happened on Friday when Jesus was crucified. Peter had failed to count the cost. He did the very thing he never thought possible. He was preoccupied with self-preservation. In other words saving his own skin! And look where he found himself. Warming at the camp fire of the enemy!
Thank God his Friday of indecision, resistance, and denial was short-lived. He and other apostles fled! They gave in. Gave up. Gave out. Their commitment turned shallow. And their courage fleeting. On Sunday commitment was renewed. And courage restored. Their fainting hearts were revived. And these men turned into fierce defenders of the faith. Courageous proclaimers. Committed followers.
When I think of their change, I am encouraged. I have been afraid to jump. I have failed to count the cost. I have allowed the “corpses” of this world to distract me. I have found myself in the wrong circle. Thank God for Sunday. For rededication. For recommitment. For restoration.
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Once again Ken you cause me to think…and consider what is really most important in life. Thanks!
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Thanks, Jody!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Sunday is definitely my day of rejuvenation. People outside the faith dont understand my NEED to go to church three times a week (or more if i can) but i tell them think of my church as food. If i dont eat I die and that seems to make more sense to them. A point I like in your post is that it is important to understand the full commitment that you are making when deciding to follow Him and after reading this i think i have some reafirming to do. Definitely glad to have you at my church Ken and look forward to reading more of your blogs 🙂
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Thank you so much Lauren! I really appreciate your openness. Glad to be here…and glad you are too!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Good morning Ken. This post makes me feel it was written specifically for me. I became a Christian late in life, after a long life of being an active member in a denominational church. #3 in your blog is something that is not easy to do but must be done. My Christian family/friends I depend on more than they know. Meeting on Sundays, Wednesday is a definite need in my life. Thank you for these words – reminder – of what is needed in this ‘enemy occupied world’ we live in. Oh and Lauren, you go girl. Grandma is so proud of you!
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Wow! I almost didn’t send this post because I didn’t feel like it was getting across exactly what I was wanting to say. But tried to tweak it and thought, well, I’ll it a shot and see what the response is….and then I get this from you! Thanks for your transparency…and thanks for sharing Look forward to getting to know you better
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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