Artist: Aksel Waldemar Johannessen From this morning's gospel reading: Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Here are some observations about the point Jesus is making by Lutheran pastor, Sharron R. Lucas:
We 21st century North American Christians are for the most part products of the low expectation school of discipleship. We give an hour on Sunday, drop 2-4% in the plate, and if we’re really involved teach a class or serve on a committee. Again, any North Dakota farmer worth his or her salt could tell you that you won’t get a crop from that kind of investment. Why even your youngest 4H member puts more of an investment into the local club than the average Christian puts into his or her congregation.Commitment. Maybe it would be beneficial for us all to ponder just what that means today - not necessarily when we were first baptised or confirmed or ordained or professed. What does it mean for me today to set my face toward Jerusalem, to put my hand to the plow and not look back? Maybe that looks different from what it did ten years ago or even two years ago.
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..ooooh--that we are "products of the low expectation school of discipleship." That speaks volumes, and is so true for each one of us. Gulp.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, Jan. I went "gulp" as well.
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