Ryan Seacrest began American Idol tonight with something like this:
They left their families behind; they put their jobs aside; they put their lives on hold. Why? Because this is the chance of a lifetime….
All I could think of was Jesus’ call to go. And I remembered Jesus’ exchange with the rich young ruler. This young man, blessed in many ways, is going to the right source and even appears to be a “good boy” based on his responses to Jesus and Jesus’ response to him. Then, their conversation intensifies.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
This young man had it all and was going to the right teacher, but he couldn’t make the leap of faith to leave what he valued for something of greater value than he could even imagine.
Jesus’ disciples were amazed at this interaction and very concerned.
Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”
Luke 18:22-30
It’s cool to get to go to American Idol. I’m excited for all of the contestants. I’d love to have such an opportunity.
But you know what? I do. And so do you!
Every follower of Jesus is challenged to do the same. Leave behind the things of this world for something bigger. Leave behind the things you value for the things God values. Leave behind a kingdom of self and take on the richest Kingdom of all – the Kingdom of God.
Jesus is calling you to go. He’s calling you to lose your life so that He can save it. Jesus calls you to be a living sacrifice. Are you?
Are you dying to self?
Or are you just another American idol?