There is an earthly principle that says, "The one with the goods has all the power."

If I carry something you need or want, I wield the power. Christ has all the goods. He has what we need and want and He determines the value.

In John 1:38, Jesus said, "What do you want?" to His prospective disciples. In this statement He revealed the value and increased the level of desire for the goods He held.

Christ had everything in His possession and maintained the rights and authority over it.

He didn't chase people down the street. He didn't knock on doors. No, He maintained the value and integrity of what He had by limited access.

He did not give Himself to man, for He knew what was in a man (see John 2:24-25).

The Pharisees knew He was not a salesman selling His wares.

    Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God.
Mark 12:14

The one power they thought they had was their approval or rejection and Jesus wasn't looking for that. If Christ looked into the eyes of passersby for the twinkle of acceptance, His Gospel would have been worthless, cheapened and nullified.

If I pander for man's thumbs up, I diminish the value of the Good News. Instead of an ambassador, I become an embarrassment. If I am saved and carry in my bones the Good News of God, I have to allow for the dignity of Christ to be maintained through me. The Good News of the Kingdom was preached, not hocked in the streets. This doesn't mean I raise my head in pride, NO! But I also don't look through the eye of my personal inferiority to gain it's approval.

Jesus offended, purposely dismayed and in a sense shooed away prospective disciples. The Gospel didn't cater to any. He didn't allow for personal wish lists or an a la carte gospel.

And why? Why was He so abrupt? Why did He send away the very ones who were following?
Why Jesus why?

Because of this-
He was not looking for philosophers to adopt an ideal.

He was not looking for mercenaries to pick up a crusade.

He was not looking for scientist to devise a theory.

He was not looking for teachers to impart a doctrine.

He was not looking for the religious to teach a theology.

He was not looking for managers to supervise a plan.

He was not looking for mourners to comfort and console.

He was not looking for debaters to argue a case.

He was not looking for a philanthropist to fund a cause.

And He was not even looking for followers to walk where He led.

No, what this mysterious Man, who had all the power, was searching for was LOVERS.

Those who would follow, yes, but not as unto the Rabbis with a nodding amen to agreed to lessons and laws. No, He wanted abandoned embracers of Him, those whose value of Him was matched only by His value of the Father. He sought lovers, sick with desire, caught with intrigue.

He didn't chase because lovers seek. He didn't run after because lovers don't leave.
He upped the ante on love . . . .

It's not an emotion, though it is fraught with feelings.
It is not a getting but a being got.

Love is something quite outside of self, yet not apart from self. It is directed outward, towards, embracing, gazing of something that cannot be had or owned, though is in complete union.

He was looking for those captured, possessed by Him, those who would leave all by a captivated gaze.

Ideals can make for martyrs. The power of hate can hold you to the fire. Yet only love will cause you to leave self completely. To the end of your rights, opinions, possessions and relationships. Only love will cast aside allegiance to parents, siblings, family and friends to follow.

    Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37

Love is the answer and lovers are what He desires.

Father increase our LOVE!, that we might be ambassadors not embarrassments.

Father increase our LOVE!, that we might value this Precious Treasure that You do not cheapen with unlimited access.

Copyright © John Enslow