I am about to sound like an “old fogey.” I’m sorry but it really does seem like people of virtue are hard to find these days. I am blessed to know people of virtue but they are rare in the world. Loyalty and commitment to the things that really matter are a great blessing when you see it in operation. There’s not a lot of fanfare, often it is in the mundane that righteousness is hidden. You see it marriage when people said “I do” and “I will” and meant it. You see it in the guy or gal that shows up to work on time, every time, all the time. You see it when somebody says “yes” and it actually means “yes” not “maybe”. These kinds of people don’t make the covers of magazines and are not noticed by the media but they just keep doing the right thing day in and day out. They know that a choice to do one thing is a choice to not do something else and they are therefore careful and discerning about what they do. Jesus appreciates this virtue in His followers. If we are going to follow Him it will require self-denial, it will mean the “burning of some bridges,” it will mean saying yes to Jesus while saying no to others. Jesus is not asking for something unusual, teachers, bosses and coaches are always looking for students that are loyal and committed. Because we are finite creatures we need to focus and those who focus move forward in their particular field. If we are to be like the Rabbi, it will take loyalty, commitment and focus. Our tendency is to make excuses and give reasons why His expectations are too difficult. We can choose to wimp out or lean on Him for strength. One of the great things about following Jesus is that He gives the strength to do what He asks of us! This Sunday we’ll be studying apprenticeship with Jesus and we’ll meet a man who may have had questionable motives and one who had some questionable excuses. May it serve as a mirror to help us along the narrow way…a way that requires loyalty and commitment.