Once again Jesus reminds us of the
cost of discipleship. In harsh and
unyielding terms, he tells us that following him is not a casual endeavor or a
part time pursuit, but a call of dedication into a new way of life –
away from the
comfortable,
away from the
familiar,
away from surety
of family and friends,
away from our
possessions and entertainments
away from the safety
and security of our known world:
Taking on a life under the burden
of the cross – following in his footsteps, loving as we are loved and living in
a radical new way.
Jesus tells us that when the Spirit
moves us to follow him, - to become his disciple, - we must make sure of our
commitment to this new life – our life in Christ – our life under the cross. He warns us that this is not an easy life, a
life of comfort - where we can be his disciples and still continue in our old
ways of living. It is a radical call to
leave behind all our possessions, all our ties to family and community, all the
things of this world – to seek God and his Kingdom above.
This is not a life of half measures
or for the faint-hearted, but one of total dedication. Once we begin our journey, Jesus tells us not
to look back, - longing for what was left behind, but to go forward - guided by
our belief in the Word of God and strengthened in our faith through God’s love
and grace.
Our journey should not be clouded
with doubts and hesitations. When we
start out on this road of discipleship, we should have a clear understanding of
the destination and the costs to reaching our goal. We need to ask ourselves:
Do we have the
strength of belief - to reach the destination?
Do we have the
commitment of faith - to stay the course, no matter the hardship?
Do we have the
courage to accept - that we will be challenged and tested along the way?
Do we recognize that
it is only through the love and grace of God - that we will be able to suffer
hardship, persecution and rejection for the sake of the Gospel and for the name
of Jesus?
In becoming a disciple of Christ, we
are not given a promise of a life of ease in this world. Jesus tells to leave this world behind and to
give away all the things we’ve come to know, love and rely on, - so that we may
pursue the better things, the higher things, the things not of this world, but the
things of the God’s Kingdom.
Jesus warns us that we cannot serve
two masters or live two lives. His
disciples, should not be distracted by worldly pursuits –
the things that
rust and decay –
the things that
are not everlasting –
the things that
cannot save -
But focus on what can save, - what
is enduring, and everlasting; the Love of God and eternal life in the peace of his
heavenly Kingdom.
Jesus promises us that we will not
be alone in our journey of discipleship, - but that he will be with us always -
until the ends of the earth and that we are beloved children of God, - the God who
desires us to be with him forever. He
does promise that when we take up the cross of Christ: our yoke will be easy
and our burden light - for he has sent the Spirit to be with us; to comfort us,
to guide us and to teach us.
Our call to discipleship, - to a
life of wonder and fulfillment in the love of God, - is not something we should
take on lightly. Jesus wants us to know that disciples should have their eyes
wide open - before entering into this new life – the life of a follower of the
Way, the Truth and the Life. That
discipleship in Christ Jesus means leaving behind all the things of this world -
that keep us from loving God as God loves us – completely, without question or
hesitation – forever and ever ~Amen.
Peace,
Deacon Don Ron
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