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Who Is Really in Control of Your Life?
There's a startling moment in the Gospels that should make every follower of Jesus pause. Picture this: Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, is preaching to crowds. They're excited, engaged, hanging on every word. Then He says something that changes everything. He challenges them to truly follow Him, to be His disciples. And the Bible tells us that from that time on, many left.
If Jesus—the Son of God, the perfect communicator—gave a message that caused people to walk away, what does that tell us about the cost of discipleship?
The Question That Changes Everything
We live in a culture that celebrates autonomy. "Be yourself." "Follow your heart." "You do you." These mantras echo through our social media feeds, our entertainment, and even our personal philosophies. But what if the very thing we're fighting to protect—our independence—is actually keeping us from the life we were meant to live?
The central question isn't whether Jesus can be our Savior. Most people are comfortable with that idea. The real question is: What makes Jesus Lord of our lives?
There's a profound difference. A Savior rescues us. A Lord directs us. And here's the uncomfortable truth: Jesus is Lord whether we acknowledge it or not.
Why Jesus Has the Right to Lead
Consider the audacity of Jesus' claims. C.S. Lewis pointed out that among the Jews, a man suddenly appeared who spoke as if He were God. He claimed to forgive sins. He said He had always existed. He announced He would judge the world at the end of time. These are, as Lewis noted, "the most shocking things that have ever been uttered by human lips."
But they're only shocking if they're not true.
The Scriptures paint a comprehensive picture of Jesus' authority:
He is God incarnate. Colossians 1:15 declares, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." This isn't poetic exaggeration—it's theological reality. In Jesus, the invisible God became visible, touchable, knowable.
He is Lord of the universe. Everything that exists—from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy—was created by Him and for Him. The stars obey His command. The earth spins at His direction. If He can manage the cosmos, surely He can manage your Tuesday.
He has authority over nature. Remember the scene: experienced fishermen panic in a storm while Jesus sleeps peacefully in the boat. When they finally wake Him in desperation, He simply speaks: "Peace, be still." The wind and waves immediately obey. The disciples' response reveals their growing understanding: "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
He knows you completely. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." He doesn't just know about you—He knows you. Every hope, every fear, every secret struggle. And He loves you anyway.
The Real Issue: Control
Here's where it gets personal. Whatever controls you is your lord.
Read that again.
The person seeking power is controlled by power. The person desperate for acceptance is controlled by the opinions of others. The person chasing wealth is controlled by money. We don't actually control ourselves—we're controlled by whatever we've decided is most important.
The question isn't whether you'll have a master. The question is which master you'll choose.
Jesus illustrated this principle through the parable of the sower. The same seed falls on four different types of soil: the hard path, the rocky ground, the thorny ground, and the good soil. Same seed, different results. Why? The condition of the soil determines what grows.
The seed is God's Word. The soil is your heart. If your heart is hardened by cynicism, truth gets snatched away before it can take root. If your heart is shallow, you may receive the Word with joy, but you'll stumble at the first sign of difficulty. If your heart is crowded with the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, the message gets choked out.
But if your heart is open, teachable, and receptive, the Word takes root and produces fruit—sometimes thirty-fold, sometimes sixty, sometimes a hundred.
The Beautiful Paradox
Here's what might surprise you: Jesus' control isn't manipulation. It's not bullying. It's not coercion.
He never takes away your freedom or dignity. He doesn't make decisions for you. He doesn't abuse or force. Instead, He invites. He woos. He waits.
We obey Him not because we're forced to, but because of what we've become in relationship with Him. Love, grace, peace, hope—these aren't just nice religious concepts. They're the actual fruit of a life surrendered to Jesus.
Listen to His invitation: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
This is the paradox: true freedom comes through surrender. Real rest comes through yoking yourself to Jesus. The burden that feels light is the one carried in partnership with Him.
The Challenge Before Us
Picture two oxen pulling a cart. One is mature, strong, experienced—he knows where he's going and how to pull effectively. The other is young, untrained, fighting against the yoke, pulling sideways, exhausting himself trying to go his own direction. He can't change the course—the mature ox keeps moving steadily forward. But the young ox makes the journey miserable for himself.
Which ox are you?
Jesus remains Lord whether you accept Him or not. He doesn't change because you resist. But your life changes drastically based on whether you fight Him or follow Him.
He's far more interested in relationship than religious talk. He wants humble, teachable hearts willing to walk with Him toward eternity. In that walk, you'll find rest, peace, and purpose.
The question isn't whether you'll be controlled. The question is: who will you allow to be Lord of your life?
There's a startling moment in the Gospels that should make every follower of Jesus pause. Picture this: Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, is preaching to crowds. They're excited, engaged, hanging on every word. Then He says something that changes everything. He challenges them to truly follow Him, to be His disciples. And the Bible tells us that from that time on, many left.
If Jesus—the Son of God, the perfect communicator—gave a message that caused people to walk away, what does that tell us about the cost of discipleship?
The Question That Changes Everything
We live in a culture that celebrates autonomy. "Be yourself." "Follow your heart." "You do you." These mantras echo through our social media feeds, our entertainment, and even our personal philosophies. But what if the very thing we're fighting to protect—our independence—is actually keeping us from the life we were meant to live?
The central question isn't whether Jesus can be our Savior. Most people are comfortable with that idea. The real question is: What makes Jesus Lord of our lives?
There's a profound difference. A Savior rescues us. A Lord directs us. And here's the uncomfortable truth: Jesus is Lord whether we acknowledge it or not.
Why Jesus Has the Right to Lead
Consider the audacity of Jesus' claims. C.S. Lewis pointed out that among the Jews, a man suddenly appeared who spoke as if He were God. He claimed to forgive sins. He said He had always existed. He announced He would judge the world at the end of time. These are, as Lewis noted, "the most shocking things that have ever been uttered by human lips."
But they're only shocking if they're not true.
The Scriptures paint a comprehensive picture of Jesus' authority:
He is God incarnate. Colossians 1:15 declares, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." This isn't poetic exaggeration—it's theological reality. In Jesus, the invisible God became visible, touchable, knowable.
He is Lord of the universe. Everything that exists—from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy—was created by Him and for Him. The stars obey His command. The earth spins at His direction. If He can manage the cosmos, surely He can manage your Tuesday.
He has authority over nature. Remember the scene: experienced fishermen panic in a storm while Jesus sleeps peacefully in the boat. When they finally wake Him in desperation, He simply speaks: "Peace, be still." The wind and waves immediately obey. The disciples' response reveals their growing understanding: "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
He knows you completely. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." He doesn't just know about you—He knows you. Every hope, every fear, every secret struggle. And He loves you anyway.
The Real Issue: Control
Here's where it gets personal. Whatever controls you is your lord.
Read that again.
The person seeking power is controlled by power. The person desperate for acceptance is controlled by the opinions of others. The person chasing wealth is controlled by money. We don't actually control ourselves—we're controlled by whatever we've decided is most important.
The question isn't whether you'll have a master. The question is which master you'll choose.
Jesus illustrated this principle through the parable of the sower. The same seed falls on four different types of soil: the hard path, the rocky ground, the thorny ground, and the good soil. Same seed, different results. Why? The condition of the soil determines what grows.
The seed is God's Word. The soil is your heart. If your heart is hardened by cynicism, truth gets snatched away before it can take root. If your heart is shallow, you may receive the Word with joy, but you'll stumble at the first sign of difficulty. If your heart is crowded with the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, the message gets choked out.
But if your heart is open, teachable, and receptive, the Word takes root and produces fruit—sometimes thirty-fold, sometimes sixty, sometimes a hundred.
The Beautiful Paradox
Here's what might surprise you: Jesus' control isn't manipulation. It's not bullying. It's not coercion.
He never takes away your freedom or dignity. He doesn't make decisions for you. He doesn't abuse or force. Instead, He invites. He woos. He waits.
We obey Him not because we're forced to, but because of what we've become in relationship with Him. Love, grace, peace, hope—these aren't just nice religious concepts. They're the actual fruit of a life surrendered to Jesus.
Listen to His invitation: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
This is the paradox: true freedom comes through surrender. Real rest comes through yoking yourself to Jesus. The burden that feels light is the one carried in partnership with Him.
The Challenge Before Us
Picture two oxen pulling a cart. One is mature, strong, experienced—he knows where he's going and how to pull effectively. The other is young, untrained, fighting against the yoke, pulling sideways, exhausting himself trying to go his own direction. He can't change the course—the mature ox keeps moving steadily forward. But the young ox makes the journey miserable for himself.
Which ox are you?
Jesus remains Lord whether you accept Him or not. He doesn't change because you resist. But your life changes drastically based on whether you fight Him or follow Him.
He's far more interested in relationship than religious talk. He wants humble, teachable hearts willing to walk with Him toward eternity. In that walk, you'll find rest, peace, and purpose.
The question isn't whether you'll be controlled. The question is: who will you allow to be Lord of your life?
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