Day #22 - Jesus Miracles: signs

Day 22
Jesus’ Miracles: signs
Read: Luke 4:31-44

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One of the striking things about Jesus' life and work is the fact he did miracles. Even his enemies agreed on this. The miracles described in the Gospels range from curing physical illnesses, casting out devils, calming a storm, to bringing the dead back to life.

Jesus’ miracles also cause controversy, both then and now.  Some want to dismiss his’ miracles, to deny Jesus is God by seeking to deny the reality of God’s power at work today.   But miracles which happened back then, still do now; they are “signs of God’s Kingdom.” Miracles are sometimes described as “mighty works” are done through the power of God. The most important display of God's miraculous power is the resurrection of Jesus.

Both Old and New Testaments show repeatedly, God does work and intervene in this world. Todays “Western thinking” often tends to dismiss any expectation of God’s supernatural power at work; too often modern (secularised) folks priding themselves on self sufficiency, fail to see any need for God gracious intervention.

Miracles are signs that point to God and give glimpses of his restoration.  Signs are useful for someone who is looking in the right direction.  Jesus used “signs” to show his power over sickness, creation, spiritual powers and death.   He was very aware of the dangers of miracles and their limitations; for Jesus signs are not “ends in themselves” – they are calls and evidences of his’ Goodnews message of the Kingdom. Their greatest impact is into the outside world.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Miracles are signs of God “reaching out”, not “showing off”

Consider (respond)

• How do I view miracles? How could I view them?

Day #21 - Jesus’ Message: his return

Day 21

Jesus’ Message: his return

Read: Luke 21: 5-38

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Apart from the “Upper Room Address” (John 14-16), Jesus concludes his teaching ministry. In His address Jesus' provides his’ disciples a realistic warning about future events and imparts into them “strong encouragement to persevere.”

In today’s passage Jesus gives His’ disciples a nine-fold exhortation:  

• Do not follow false leaders (8).
• Do not be frightened by the awesome events (9-11).
• Do not worry about your legal defense when persecuted (12-16).
• When all turn against you, persevere take a firm stand (17-19).
• Flee Jerusalem when it is besieged (20-24).
• When the final apocalyptic events do take place, take heart at your coming redemption when the Son of Man returns (25-28
• Recognize these things point the approaching Kingdom of God (29-31).
• Be assured right through the period the Lord's words endure (32-33).
• Be watchful and pray so that you will come through all things in a way the Son of Man will approve (34-36).

Jesus is returning. The Kingdom of God is coming . . . we look for His return while living in and work for His Kingdom.

The Kingdom in its fullness is yet to come. It has come in part, but it will only fully come when Jesus returns to reign. In the meantime Jesus’ church - that part of God's creation which accepts his authority – will continue to preach the Goodnews of the Kingdom.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus nine-fold exhortation is to encourage and focus us on the Kingdom message of Jesus

Consider (respond)

• When thinking of the days in which we are living, am I frightened or focused?

Day #20 - Jesus’ Message: resources

Day 20

Jesus’ Message: resources

Read: Luke 12:13-34

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Another theme in Jesus’ message concerns our use of resources . . . or the common theological term “stewardship.”  Today’s reading in the accounts of Jesus is a teaching in “three cameos.”

The teachings are as relevant today as when Jesus gave them, like then they are still “part of the Gospel of the Kingdom.” Many in Jesus’ audience was poor then, still so today. Even the “poverty of the West” is comparative wealth for 2/3 of our planet.

The first teaching (12:13-21) does not condemn the man for having a good season or for building barns, but his attitude to what he had.   He saw it as his, for his own use, and had no concern for anyone else.

The second teaching (12:22-31) is a call to be secure in God and His provision.   Worry casts doubt on God’s care and shows our lack of faith.   Our key focus is not to be on our possessions, but on God’s Kingdom. 

The third (12:32-34) teaches us to give generously to the poor.  If we view all resources as God’s, not worrying about material things but are secure in God’s care, then it follows that we can freely give to those in need.

Darrell L. Bock puts the challenge;

• “How we use our resources communicates our values.  If we invest in earthly possessions we show we care about such things.  If we invest and care for people, we radiate our love for others.  God’s kingdom is about people.”

 Ponder Point (reflect)

• All resources are God’s; He is the owner, we are His stewards

Consider (respond)

• Which teaching (1, 2 or 3) speaks the loudest to me?

Day #19 - Jesus’ Message: hypocrisy

Day 19

Jesus’ Message: hypocrisy

Read: Luke 11:37-53

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The Pharisees of Jesus time were a popular middle-class party.  They held high moral values, strong commitment to the Torah (Old Testament), believed in the supernatural ability of God, angels, and operated a practical view in dealing with the Romans. In their political aspirations they sometimes leaned towards co-operation, other times toward separatism.  Put into  a modern NZ context today MMP is just made for them. But, big but, they not only clashed with Jesus, they opposed him, sought to trap him, accused him, were paranoid about him, and actively sought kill him.

Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for being more concerned over external behaviours rather than issues of the heart.   Justice for the poor was ignored and their tendency for pride-of-position over servanthood.  They may have looked good, causing people to build expectations of spiritual help from them, but were treacherous! They were not what they appeared to be; they were “two-faced.”

There’s two “old and contemporary words” for describing their behaviour and character – hypocrisy (knowingly failing to practice the virtues that one preaches and requires of others); and hypocrites (one who engages in the same behaviors they condemn in others).

Jesus gave Pharisees one-liner description; “you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it” (11:44). Deadly man . . . Jesus’ message was strong because he saw those who claimed to be God-followers were hindering others from encountering Him.  Don’t ignore the simple remedy; practice your preaching.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus is still against hypocrisy by God-followers

Consider (respond)

• How could I refresh my “connections of belief and practice”?

Day #18 - Jesus’ Message: radical love

Day 18

Jesus’ Message: radical love

Read: Luke 6:27-49

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Today’s passage is the pinnacle and heart of Jesus’ message, his’ beatitudes. Jesus calls his followers to love with radical love, love that transcends the world’s love. Going beyond easy norms; being kind, showing good will, open-heartedly praying for those against us.

• “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you” (6:29-31).

The Christian who acts in the way laid down here will be pointing to his or her master, Jesus Christ, and will be following in the footsteps of Stephen who prayed for those who were stoning him: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

The love Jesus describes expects nothing in return.   Pure love is giving when there is no hope of receiving any love, appreciation, or thanks.  Such love which radiates in contrast to the self centred love of the world is a powerful witness.

While such love doesn’t come easily, we are gifted love in Jesus who already loves.  When falling short in living-love recognise the need to come back to God for forgiveness, help, and the “renewing of Jesus’ shed-abroad-love through the Holy Spirit who he has already given us.”  In re-receiving God’s love we overtly continue Jesus’ lifestyle.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• God lives in us and his love is made complete in us

Consider (respond)

• What connections are there between praying and loving?

Day #17 - Jesus’ Message: accountability

Day 17

Jesus’ Message: accountability

Read: Luke 19:11-27

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One key theme of Jesus’ Kingdom and discipleship message is accountability. All humans are accountable one way or another.  Those following Jesus for resources and gifts they’re entrusted; those rejecting him for not seeing who he is, and responding to him through faith, confession and allegiance.   Today’s reading is set in the last week of Jesus’ life. He was near Jerusalem; the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once, so while they were listening he gave them a parable. The parable of the nobleman and his servants; note, he doesn’t give them gifts, he makes them stewards. They aren’t given ownership; they are entrusted with responsibility and accountability.

Jesus singles out three of the ten servants as examples, the first two did well. The third servant comes to accountability confessing failure of fulfilling his entrusted responsibility. Sure, its investment was risky, but he was specifically charged to take the risk of investing, in his case conservatism was born of fear and was wrong.

One day we will be accountable for our action and in-action. Accountable for how we have responded to Jesus’ directions through Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, inspirations and insights we’ve received through services of public worship and encounters with the “preached Word”. The King, who has gone away, is returning – but we also know that by the Spirit he is with us now. Accountability is not only future, it’s now. In the parable the first two stewards were not only accountable on the master’s return, as on a daily basis they took his trust and their responsibility seriously– that’s the inspiration to us.

 Ponder Point (reflect)

• Accountability is the measurement of effectively pursuing one’s entrusted responsibilities

Consider (respond)

• I’m called to serve God without fear – what am I doing?

Day #16 - Jesus’ Message: the cost

Day 16

Jesus’ Message: the cost

Read: Luke 14:25-35

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Jesus’ call to discipleship commitment has an “upping-the-ante factor.” Jesus and his Kingdom are never intended for to be second-place in one’s priorities.  The call to forsake and follow demands cost is counted, commitment made, and cross-carrying discipleship pursued. If this passage sounds offensive, “could it mean one resists doing-the-sums of followership?” Families were central to Jewish life, and the cross was not a mere symbol in a first century; but a daily witnessed terrible way of death inflicted by the occupying Roman army.

Jesus points out the implications of following him. In first century Palestine, to follow Jesus might well mean being rejected by family, and even facing torture by the civil authorities.  To follow Jesus meant that one’s love for him had to be greater than a love for family or even one’s life.

The parables (14:28-32) Jesus told are to encourage people to consider whether to follow him or not. There’s incredible benefit in being a committed follower of Jesus, but also immense cost. Following Jesus is not only giving up (possessions), it’s also taking up (Cross) and putting on (His yoke).

To fully follow Jesus may mean your actions will be misunderstood by family and friends, criticism, and becoming un-welcome. It could mean a lower standard of living so resources can go to ministry, going to unsafe places, facing assault and sickness to share Jesus’ message; at the least, a rejecting of self centeredness to serve others’ needs.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Fully following Jesus is less costly than not following Him

Consider (respond)

• When did Jesus last “up-the-ante” on me?

Day #15 - Jesus’ Message: the kingdom

Day 15

Jesus’ Message: the kingdom

Read: Matthew 13:1-52

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Two gospel expressions “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” represent the same idea. Matthew writing for Jewish readers speaks of the “Kingdom of Heaven”, Mark and Luke use the “Kingdom of God”, it’s easier for their non-Jewish audience’s understanding.

Jesus' message and idea of the Kingdom was new and very different:

·         The Kingdom is already here. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is among you,” now he had come the Kingdom was here. The mighty works he was doing were signs of the breaking in of his Kingdom. Following Jesus meant entering his Kingdom.

·         For Jesus the “Kingdom” is the rule of God in human hearts, rather than a territory with definable borders. People not property; people who follow and acknowledge Jesus as Lord. With Jesus the Kingdom is a spiritual rather than material reality.

By his “Sower story” Jesus indicated the kingdom would be able to be resisted, was unobtrusive and co-existent with evil (13:3-23). His’ “Mustard seed story” shows the Kingdom would begin small, but spread throughout the world (13:31-32).  The Kingdom involves sacrificial cost and total commitment, but is more than worth it, as the stories of “the Treasure and the Pearl” tell (13:45-46).   The “Weeds and the Net stories show while the Kingdom is here, but not fully clear and distinctive until the day of judgement (13:24-30, 36-43; 13:47-52). 

The good news of the Kingdom is; “God has come to save the world, heal creation and to bring the whole of life back under God’s perfect reign.”  Jesus’ declaration that the Kingdom is here shows God’s desire is for His rule to be extended to every area of life on earth.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus is King of the Kingdom and head of the Church

Consider (respond)

• How does my being a member of Christ’s body (the church), and citizen of God’s Kingdom connect?

Day #14 - Jesus’ Method: opposing wrong

Day 14

Jesus’ Method: opposing wrong

Read: Luke 19:45-48

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On entering Jerusalem, the first place Jesus visits is the temple. What he finds in the temple is shocking; robbers have infested the very temple of God, there is blatant commercialization of the temple services. Instead of the temple being a place consecrated to God where God could be worshipped, it had become a venue for all kinds of business transactions, degrading the house of prayer into a den of robbers (19:45-46).

Taking controversial and perhaps violent action, Jesus makes a whip of cords and chases out all the merchants, sheep and cattle and overturns the tables of the money changers (John 2:15).

Jesus did not clean-up and clear-out of the place, he remained “teaching daily in the temple.” The broad masses of the people could note with satisfaction how Jesus had exposed the errors of the religious leaders under whose heavy yoke they had to suffer. Their admiration for Jesus’ sheer defiance and courage in challenging the entire religious establishment led them to listen to him more. They could listen to his words and talk about his miracles. In this last week of his life many testified they had witnessed how Jesus had healed the sick, restored sight to the sightless, healed lepers, fed five thousand and even raised people from the dead. For these reasons, all the people hung on every word he said (19:48).

The big lesson from Jesus in his last week is; “when we as His people call for oppression lifting changes in society, we also commit in serving the change and renewal processes.” It’s a faith and works deal. A society that can see us will be enabled to hear us.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• When Jesus opposes wrongs he also demonstrates the truth

Consider (respond)

• In what situations can I (like Jesus) stand up against wrongs, and join the journey of things becoming right (change)?

Day #13 - Jesus’ Method: compassion

Day 13

Jesus’ Method: compassion

Read: Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34

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Luke records many acts of the compassionate Jesus. Matthew and Mark talk directly about that compassion.  They write how Jesus was moved with compassion.  Compassion is more than heart-feeling; it’s deep passionate concern or empathetic-movement and identification from within the depths of the stirred. It understands, grasps, and responds to the “deepest point” of a person or people group’s needs. Compassion can be seen and felt by the needy; it leads to action on their behalf... Jesus healed the sick, restored the lepers, fed the crowds and taught the people, because of his compassion for them.

The needs of people deeply moved Jesus.   Matthew describes four experiences of Jesus’ compassion at work; (1) “when Jesus saw the crowds he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (9:36), (2) “He saw a large crowd, and having compassion on them healed their sick” (14:14), (3) “He saw the hungry crowds with compassion and fed them” (15:32), and (4) “He responded to two blind men, touched their eyes and immediately they received their sight and followed him” (20:34). Repeatedly Jesus looked beyond the surface needs of healing or food saw their spiritual condition, by meeting people at their point of felt-needs. In compassion, Jesus’ heart was tender, his perception clear.

Jesus saw the needs of others.   He looked beyond the superficial and saw a person’s inner needs.   His compassion moved him to action.  Meeting a person’s heart-felt need opened the door to Jesus meeting their heart’s spiritual desires.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus’ compassion responds to physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people

Consider (respond)

• How often do you operate in compassion?

Day #12 - Jesus’ Method: crossing barriers

Day 12

Jesus’ Method: crossing barriers

Read: Luke 5:12-15; 10:25-37

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These passages hold to a common theme. To reach people, barriers must be crossed. In healing the leper Jesus crossed a strong social barrier.   Lepers were cast out from society and not to be touched for fear of catching the disease.  In the parable, the hero of the story crosses a strong ethnic barrier to meet the needs of the wounded man.  (Jews and Samaritans hated each other and would not associate with each other).

Jesus’ method of ministry continually crossed the social and cultural barriers of his day.  He related to women with great dignity and respect, breaking the view of the day that women were chattels to be seen but not heard from.   He touched and healed lepers.   He spent time with children.  He mixed with tax collectors.    He related to poor and rich.

Jesus sees all people as equals, worthy of love and attention; after all, they are created in the Divine image.  He abhorred the hierarchal system he saw around him and often going out of his way to break it down.

It’s quite easy for a church to largely consist of a main ethnicity or social economic grouping; afterall, we reach those who are nearest to ourselves. The call of Jesus is to move beyond comfort zones, to reach beyond barriers, and to connect with and disciple those within different social, educational or ethnic backgrounds. Jesus modelled missional barrier crossing.  That is the model to follow.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• With Jesus, love crosses barriers and builds bridges

Consider (respond)

• What personal resources do I have to reach people unlike me?

Day #11 - Jesus Method: showing grace

Day 11

Jesus’ Method: showing grace

Read: Luke 7:36-50

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How do we explain the fact Jesus made religious people uncomfortable and unreligious people comfortable?  Simple. It’s a one word answer; “grace.” Grace is the generous overflow of the love of God, through which he responds to people where they are; giving new beginnings through Jesus. In grace God encounters us  as we are, with no intention of leaving us in our starting-state. In today’s reading we can see grace is (1) offensive to the proud, (2) lifts up the unworthy; and (3) is “natural with Jesus.” Grace is outrageous.

It’s easy to water down the outrageousness of grace.  Try to imagine a pop star like Madonna (without camera, lights, sound or crowd) simply kneeling before Jesus, gently wiping perfume over him and kissing his feet.   How would we respond?    The heart challenge of today’s passage is “do we see people for who they have been or can we see them as what God seeks to make them?”

In ministry Jesus could bring sin to the surface and freely forgive sin when it was acknowledged.   That’s grace at work.   This parable of Jesus illustrates the power of such grace (7:41-42).   As people experience grace, their response is one of love.  Jesus continually showed grace to people and told stories of grace.

Hear the parable at heart. Now that we’ve experienced grace, be aware in it. Respond and grow in grace and the living evidence (knowledge) of Jesus Christ.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Jesus models the balance of grace and holiness – having a heart for the right and a passion for people

Consider (respond)

• What’s Jesus’ model saying to me?

Day #10 - Jesus' Method: making time

Day 10

Jesus’ Method: making time

Read: Luke 8:40-49

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To the disciples it was insignificant, “what do you mean who touched me? We’re in a crowd – yes?” Someone in the crowds had “touched” Jesus. Jesus was in the middle of an emergency, the daughter of a very important person lay dying.   This was no time to muck around talking to people.  Yet Jesus, as he so often did, stopped and took the time to encourage one woman in her act of faith.

This Jesus’ story is packed with learning examples of his methods, let’s look at just one. Despite being under pressure to respond to multiple human needs Jesus took time with each one.  The woman-in-the-crowd mattered to him, although on an urgent mission, he made time to spend with her.  For us she would have been so easy to miss, but not for Jesus.

Repeatedly in the accounts of Jesus we read of his people-time priorities, his sensitivities toward others. Jesus ordered his priorities differently to many others. People matter to Jesus, he neither gets distracted from his overall mission, nor allows people to become a secondary interest. An essential of his mission achievement method is simply, attentiveness to the needs of those around him.   For others a timid and deferring woman could easily be missed, a beggar making a racket ignored, some kids wanting attention bypassed – but with Jesus none slip below his radar.  Jesus makes time for “background-people” in the foreground of his mission-life.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• As he responds to the multitudes of the earth Jesus takes time with people as individuals

Consider (respond)

• Loving people is spelt T-I-M-E. Time for them, time with them.

Day #9 - Jesus’ Method: being intentional

Day 9

Jesus’ Method: being intentional

Read: Luke 15

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Today’s reading looks at a trilogy of Jesus’ parables - lost sheep, coin, and son.  For understanding parables context is crucial. Jesus tells them in response to criticism over who he was spending his time with (15:2). Each story illustrates the same point; (1) something of value is lost, (2) a search is mounted, and (3) there’s huge rejoicing when “the lost is found.”

Let’s focus our attention on the mid-point; “the search.” The woman intentionally looks for the coin; she did not wait to see if it would happen to turn up.   The shepherd intentionally leaves the other sheep to go and look for the missing one.   The father is waiting for the son, actively watching for signs of his return.  Jesus came to “seek the lost.”  Notice how all the seeking activity is intentional.  Each “seeker” is intentionally motivated because “the lost” is of great value to the “finders.” Value determines method – with Jesus the value of people to his and his Father’s heart determines his methods; with Jesus pursuing and connecting with people is intentional.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, swept along by demands from all directions.  Should one of our children or friends get “off track and lost”, without a doubt we’d drop everything to look for them. When people and things are important to us we take intentional action. Lost people matter to Jesus, so lost people should matter to us.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Lost people are the “passion of the seeking Father”

Consider (respond)

• How can I build intentional friendships with those who don’t yet have a friendship with Jesus?

Day #8 - Jesus’ Method: friendship

Day 8

Jesus’ Method: friendship

Read: Luke 5:27-32

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Over the last week we have considered Jesus’ mission:  “to reach those far away from God – the unreligious, to bring hope to those struggling in life and to challenge all people to accept God’s rulership.” In anyone’s books, this was and still is today a daring mission. As we reflect on Jesus’ life, we see a clear method he used towards achieving this goal; friendship and friendliness.

Jesus did not expect unreligious people to come to him, he went to them.  He plainly looked at home in their company, they clearly enjoyed his.  His religious opponents sought to develop a false reputation of him being a “party animal”, accusing Jesus of being a drunkard and a glutton.   He was neither; he just spent so much time in hanging out with “outsiders” that it affected his reputation.  Jesus was a friend of “sinners” – an old word for outsiders, or unbelievers.

Jesus built genuine friendships with people.  He enjoyed their company.   He loved to spend time with them. Jesus not only spent time with “outsiders” – he involved his disciples in this element of his “modus operandi.” Jesus sought to build this value into his followers, namely; “by walking close to him in their broader-society they could function without a fear of being contaminated by the world; and open Christian community activities are vital in the refreshing of faith for life and contact into one’s broader-societies.”  To reach our world, Jesus entered our world.  To reach the lost, Jesus entered the homes and world of the lost. To have friends, one must be friendly.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Like Jesus, faith-friends aren’t our only friends

Consider (respond)

• Who are my friends inside and outside of the family of God?

Day #7 - Jesus' Mission: division

Day 7

Jesus’ Mission: division

Read: Luke 12:49-53

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For six days we have been looking at key components of what Jesus’ purpose was – “his mission.” Now, to a part of his mission that is easy to overlook.  Jesus’ mission was to confront people, not harshly, but directly, by calling them to account before God.

It is easy to “buy-into” a view that Jesus was a great teacher, a person of profound wisdom and the ultimate peacemaker. He is that, and more; he is God’s Son with a mission to call people back to God, to decision and allegiance – that’s confrontational.  Jesus was and still is the great divider.  He came to sort through the human race, drawing some to himself while others turn away.  His mission burns consciences, and reaction to him determines his response. Never forget that Jesus’ ministry on earth divided Israelites causing anger, argument and controversy.  Eventually the reaction was such that he was tortured to death.

The nature of Jesus’ mission can and does divide families, and even the bonds of marriage.  Make no mistake, there’s a cutting-edge to Jesus with his claims of absolute truth. Of Him being the only way to God and of kingdom values that cause reaction, offence and misunderstanding.  We must never water-down the radical nature of Jesus’ mission or think that he has come to bring peace at any price. Paul calls this challenge “the offence of the Cross” (Galatians 5:11).

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Allegiance to Jesus can cause division

Consider (respond)

• How do I carry the offence of the cross without being obnoxious?

Day #6 - Jesus' Mission: the cross

Day 6

Jesus’ Mission: the cross

Read: Luke 9:22-27; 43-45

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The context for today’s readings is Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah (9:18-20).   Immediately following this, Jesus quickly corrects the disciples’ misconceptions of what that would mean.  Although the concept of a suffering servant king was introduced by Isaiah centuries before (53:1-12), the Jews of Jesus’ day had little idea of such a God-sent leader, especially one who would suffer.   They wanted a Messiah who would come in power to rescue them.   Jesus however knew he had to suffer and die, and from now on Luke’s account of Jesus is always in the shadow of the cross.

Jesus’ death was central to his mission.   Each writer of the Jesus’ biographies records his death in more detail than either his birth, or resurrection.  That thought, “God should die on planet earth is almost beyond comprehension” yet we cannot understand Jesus mission without the context of the cross.  

Today many people want a God who will come and rescue them, to live a “painless life”, to bless them with security and prosperity.  This passage clearly teaches that central to Jesus’ mission was suffering and pain, and that if we follow him we should not expect anything different. Follow Jesus yes - but how? Jesus made it clear with three verbs (9:23) . . . "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Suffering is central to Jesus’ mission.

Consider (respond)

• “Would I have become a follower of Jesus had I understood; following could result in suffering and even death?”