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Nov 02, 2023 18:30pm

Jump on the Bandwagon

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Woo Pig.

To live in Arkansas, one is automatically considered a razorback fan. We have no NFL teams, no MLB, no NBA, but the largest college we have is the University of Arkansas, with the mascot being the Hogs.

I’ve met some pretty diehard razorback fans in my life. They don’t miss a game and they’d certainly never wear orange. They’ve been in it for the long haul. Through thick and thin, wins and losses, they’re still a hogs fan. They are true fans.

But there are also those that tend to jump on the bandwagon. They like being a part of a winning team, so if the hogs are winning, they are suddenly a fan. But what happens when there’s a loss? Or two? Or three? Are they still around? Do you still see them calling the hogs then?

Fickle fans.

Luke 14:25-33

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

Notice how the first verse in this passage reads. “And there went great multitudes with him…” There were many who followed Jesus. His name had spread throughout the area and His miracles had become widely known. It was also known that there were groups that did not like Him, His teaching or the crowds. Those who followed Jesus might witness a miracle or they might have thought they would witness a fight too.

But where was this multitude as Jesus was being crucified? Were they still His followers, His fans?

They were the very ones that spit upon Him, yelled curses and threw stones as He carried His cross up calvary.

They were fair weathered fans. Fickle. Changing sides as the temperature rose. As heat came from the prestigious religious leaders, they quickly switched sides. They wanted to be on the winning team. They just had no idea what that really meant.

So, Jesus takes a moment to turn to the massive crowd and He gives them 2 examples of what it means to follow Him.

You must count the cost.

There will be loss. There will be hurt. There will be pain and it might even lead to death.

Are you still willing?

Are you willing to do whatever it takes to follow Jesus? Will you still be there in the end, or will you be one of those that jumps off the bandwagon?

As you read and study the Bible, you learn what it really means to follow Christ. It’s full surrender on your part to His way, His will, His authority. That’s the first step of becoming a disciple. Recognizing who God is. Everything else flows from that.

Are you ready to learn more? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus?