A disciple is a learner, a follower, someone who is committed to being just like their teacher. This is the first century context into which Jesus begins to call his disciples in Luke 5. And one of Luke's themes on discipleship is the need to count the cost - if you are committed to following Jesus, to starting a lifelong journey in which you will become more like Jesus along the way, then there will be a cost.
In Luke 5:1-11 we see Jesus call Simon Peter to be a disciple. What are some of the marks of a disciple of Jesus?
1) Obedience
In verse 5 Simon Peter basically says to Jesus, this is a totally mad idea, it's going to be a waste of time...but because you say so I will do it. Often when Jesus asks us to do something our response is 'that's never going to work', 'how can I possibly do that', 'isn't there someone else you could send'... But for the disciple however we may start that sentence, the ending always has to be, 'but because you say so, I will do it'.
2) Repentance
In the first century only the best students got to be called as disciples of the Rabbis. But not so for Jesus. The only requirement to start this journey is a humble heart that recognises our rebellion against God, that we are not worthy; and an acknowledgement that Jesus is Lord - from now on he calls the shots.
3) Leave everything and follow
There is a cost to following Jesus. For Simon Peter it was to leave his job, his boat, his family, and a huge pile of fish. Being a disciple will cost. Sometimes it will be our reputation that takes a hit as we deliberately associate with those who everyone else at work shuns; there will be a time commitment as we seek to spend time in prayer, Bible study and fellowship with other Christians; there will be a financial cost as we give to the work of God in the local church, and throughout the wider world; there will be a cost as we get involved in service, using the gifts and the abilities that God has given to us.
Luke wants us to count the cost before committing to this journey, but we can be assured that for those who seek to follow Jesus, the benefits will far outweigh the sacrifices we make along the way.
Monday 26 January 2009
Thursday 22 January 2009
There's probably no God...
For those of you who haven't seen this 'advert' in real life, and who can't read what is written on the side of this London bus it says, 'There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life'.This publicity campaign started at the beginning of the year and will run for a number of weeks, but I have been reading articles about it for a lot longer.
The posters are the work of the British Humanist Association, funded by Richard Dawkins and lots of contributions from others. What might be a surprise to some is that a few of those contributors where Christian groups such as the think-tank Theos.
It has been interesting to read the reactions of Christians to seeing these buses, for example those who say these buses should be boycotted by Christians. But aren't these buses a great opportunity to talk about our faith? God is back on the agenda in our high streets - and He is being put back on the agenda by those who want to remove Him from the agenda!
But what is the slogan actually saying? Lots could be said about the 'probably' - but I won't. I wonder how many people actually worry about whether there is a God or not. Yes you do if there is a crisis of life and death in your family, but most people are probably worried a lot more about their finances, job security, pensions etc at the moment. How does the 'assurance' that there is nothing bigger than me, there is no one in control, there is no hope for the future help me deal with that worry?
And for all those who are struggling what encouragement do the humanists give? There is not even the hope that someone may be looking out for me. For their response to the existence or otherwise of God is self-centred - now I can enjoy myself. So who is going to look out for the poor, the voiceless, the homeless, the oppressed, the weak, the prisoner ...?
The good news is that there is a God and therefore I can experience life to the full.
Saturday 17 January 2009
Under Pressure
Pressure is a part of life. In a world that is changing ever faster stress and pressure are a part of every day living. But how do we cope with it? Or more importantly how should we cope with it?
This week we're looking at Luke 4:31-44. Jesus was under pressure. When he was tired the crowds came to be healed. Even when he was alone the people came and sought him out. How did Jesus handle pressure?
1) Even when the pressure was on and the people were crowding round Jesus still had compassion on them. He still saw them as people with needs rather than seeing them as a problem. When the pressure is on it can be very easy to forget that people are people - so we respond with a sharp, critical word, we hurt people's feelings, we think the worst of people rather than the best.
2) With all that was going on Jesus still took time out. In the gospels we find this again and again - being alone to pray, resting, being with his disciples... taking time out. So many of us today try and keep going seven days a week, and even when we have time off we still answer the phone and emails. And so our 'quality time' with God, family, friends... is eroded. We need to take control of our time. If you need to schedule time with God into your diary - do it, a week, a month ahead - whatever it takes. When you're with the family turn the phone off. Get one email address for work and another for home. Make sure you get regular times of rest and refreshment (a minimum of once a week).
3) Jesus also knew what he had been sent to do and he did not allow other things, no matter how good they were, get in the way and be a distraction. So often we're rubbish at saying 'no'. Someone asks us to do something and we say 'of course', until we reach the point where we have so much on that nothing gets done. That means that there are good and worthwhile things that we have to say 'no' to - but if that's not what God has called us to, then that is someone else's task. What has God asked me to do? Am I doing it? Or am I being distracted by other things?
This week we're looking at Luke 4:31-44. Jesus was under pressure. When he was tired the crowds came to be healed. Even when he was alone the people came and sought him out. How did Jesus handle pressure?
1) Even when the pressure was on and the people were crowding round Jesus still had compassion on them. He still saw them as people with needs rather than seeing them as a problem. When the pressure is on it can be very easy to forget that people are people - so we respond with a sharp, critical word, we hurt people's feelings, we think the worst of people rather than the best.
2) With all that was going on Jesus still took time out. In the gospels we find this again and again - being alone to pray, resting, being with his disciples... taking time out. So many of us today try and keep going seven days a week, and even when we have time off we still answer the phone and emails. And so our 'quality time' with God, family, friends... is eroded. We need to take control of our time. If you need to schedule time with God into your diary - do it, a week, a month ahead - whatever it takes. When you're with the family turn the phone off. Get one email address for work and another for home. Make sure you get regular times of rest and refreshment (a minimum of once a week).
3) Jesus also knew what he had been sent to do and he did not allow other things, no matter how good they were, get in the way and be a distraction. So often we're rubbish at saying 'no'. Someone asks us to do something and we say 'of course', until we reach the point where we have so much on that nothing gets done. That means that there are good and worthwhile things that we have to say 'no' to - but if that's not what God has called us to, then that is someone else's task. What has God asked me to do? Am I doing it? Or am I being distracted by other things?
Saturday 10 January 2009
A Manifesto for Change
Not long to wait now - until we see whether Barack Obama is going to be able to live up to the hopes and expectations that so many have put on his shoulders. The trouble is that so many expect so much that it is almost impossible for him to deliver. He has laid out his manifesto, now the hard work begins.
Jesus laid out his manifesto in Luke 4:18-19. Tomorrow we start a new series looking at Jesus' Galilean ministry in Luke 4-8, which will take us through to Easter. Jesus told those who were listening that he was anointed by God [i.e. I am the Messiah] to:
- proclaim good news for the poor,
- proclaim freedom for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
- set the oppressed free,
- proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.
But what might such a manifesto look like for a church? What would it mean to share good news with those around us; to be involved in setting people free from whatever holds them (debt, bad relationships, insecurities, fear...); to be a voice for the voiceless in the world; to be those who don't believe that the future is defined by the past?
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