Two thousand years ago Jesus asked and required His first 12 followers to live a Christian life that would not be accepted in todays Christian thinking. Today's refined and civilized version of Jesus's call goes something like this : Jesus died and rose from the dead so that you can live a life of endless comfort, security, take care of yourself, build your earthly wealth and no risk taking for God's Kingdom
 
The call that Jesus Christ gave us was one of risk taking and enduring hardship for the Salvation Message that Jesus lived and died on the Cross for. It is a call to live in this world as citizens of an entirely different Kingdom. In its primitive state the good news could never be separated from the invitation of Jesus to " come , follow me ". He never lied about the danger or cost associated with becoming His follower. He told them up front, " I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves " . Jesus made clear to those who were choosing to be His disciples what kind of leader he was and what kind of followers would be required to serve Him and share the Good News with the lost. Jesus said that " if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me "
 
Jesus had only one invitation for His followers 2,000 years ago, only one course set for them, only one path for them to choose if they were to journey with Christ - and that was the Way of the Barbarian. Jesus never watered down the cost of following Him in hopes that they would choose to follow. If they wanted to live a life of love and allegiance to Jesus Christ, it would cost them much, and for many that cost was their lives. We also today are called by Jesus to a path filled with uncertanity, mystery, sacrifice, hardship, and risk
 
The tough part of the Barbarian Call is that it is not fair or equitable. When you hear the call, when you follow the call, you must recoginize that it is a life -and -death proposition. When you truly understand what Jesus means when He says that you must follow Him, you finally realize that this is not a cattle call. He is not calling you to the same life that everyone else will live. He is not calling you to the same path that every follower of Christ will walk. Your life is unique before God, and your path is yours and yours alone. Where God will choose to lead you and how God chooses to use your life is His choice alone, not yours
 
But if you will answer the Call that Jesus has over your life, you will live an adventure that will be a testimony for all of eternity. Yes it is a dangerous invitation that Jesus is laying before you, the risks will be great, and so will the Eternal Rewards that Jesus Christ will have waiting for you in heaven. The choice is yours !!!