Jesus knew that enthusiasm is like the flame of a fourth of July sparkler. Jesus knew that for the long haul the people needed something more than enthusiasm for a charismatic leader. We understand his concern. Perhaps we have even enthusiastically invited others to join us in this journey. But then as the journey grew long, as the trials and troubles of the journey began to mount, as the cost of following Jesus became more obvious, as other claims on our lives began to make demands, little by little we fell farther and farther behind until at last we were left behind, and our mountaintop experience was an increasingly vague memory.
Enthusiasm burns bright.
It is wonderful. But it is not enough. It is not enough because, like the sparkler, it does not have staying power. What is needed is solid commitment. As wonderful as it is to believe Jesus is the Messiah who speaks the truth, and does the deeds of God, as wonderful and exciting as it is to celebrate and cheer God's grace, what is needed is commitment to Christ.