The Demands of Discipleship
Opening Prayer
God, help me discard a watered-down attitude toward discipleship and take seriously its demands in my life.
Read Luke 9:57-62
[57] As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” [58] Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” [59] He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” [60] Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” [61] Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” [62] Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are modern-day equivalents to these commands?Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor before and during the World War II. He had all the advantages of the best background, best education, status, fine prospects and a great future. He was already a respected theologian. At the outbreak of hostilities he was pastor of a Lutheran church in London, but he returned to Germany to be with his people in facing the Nazi horror. Later he was implicated in an attempt to assassinate Hitler. He was arrested and, finally, executed. Bonhoeffer described a discipleship which failed to respond to the hard decisions in life and put Christ first as “cheap grace.” There is nothing “cheap” about the demands made by Jesus as he and his disciples trudged on towards Jerusalem and the fate that awaited him there. Comfort and security are secondary concerns (58). Even human relations must take second place (60), and sentiment has no place at all (62). The glib enthusiasm of so many of us (57) comes up short and is given a severe reality check.
Apply
Read Bonhoeffer’s writing about the cost of discipleship versus cheap grace. Ask which you are walking in.
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, fill me with the vision of heaven and the boldness to follow wherever You lead.
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