…”Take up your cross and follow me,” Jesus said, in the least manipulative invitation that has ever been given.
–Philip Yancey
I have always disliked manipulative invitations… the ones where someone plays hard on peoples’ emotions to get some type of response.
But we can’t call Jesus’ invitation manipulative. In fact, it does not play well on the emotions at all to tell someone that responding to the invitation means death – as in dying to self. And yet, because we realize that to do so is the only way to find true life, true joy, true fulfillment, millions continue to choose to follow Him.
Following Jesus comes at a great cost. But following Jesus provides the greatest return – eternal abundant life.