Should I Be Living More Comfortably Than Jesus Did?

Are you familiar with the song I Have Decided to Follow Jesus?  The lyrics are attributed to S. Sundar Singh. 

They go like this:

“I have decided to follow Jesus; (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wonder, I still will follow; (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me; (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow; (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.”

Sundar Singh was born in India in 1889.  He lived a very interesting life and you can read about him on Wikipedia here.  After an unusual conversion experience at the age of 16 Sundar become a “radical” follower of Jesus.  He is recorded as saying:

“I am not worthy to follow in the steps of my Lord, but, like Him, I want no home, no possessions. Like Him I will belong to the road, sharing the suffering of my people, eating with those who will give me shelter, and telling all men of the love of God.”

Jesus said in John 13:16-17, “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Since it is true that we as servants of Jesus are not greater than our Master, wouldn’t it also be true that we should aspire – as Sundar decided – to live a life no more comfortable or ostentatious than the one Jesus himself lived? Should we as Christians “belong to the road” and be homeless wanderers?

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