Monday 2 July
Matthew 8:18-22
How well do you know yourself? The older we get, the better we think we do. The younger we are, the less able we are to know ourselves. One of the reasons why it is hard ultimately to know ourselves is that our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9). There are deep and dark undercurrents within all of us. We have many desires, needs and wants and these drives are constantly at work in us. We want to do good but evil is right there, urging us in the opposite direction. Jesus knew what was in a human being (John 2:24). He knew the human heart; he was under no illusion about human weakness and sinfulness. We are by nature lacking in resolve and consistency. We say one thing and do another. We take our vows, make our promises, but not many of us stay the course. This did not make Jesus love us less but love us more.
Jesus challenges those who declare with flourish and aplomb their desire to follow him. To them grace seems cheap whereas in truth grace is costly. Grace seems cheap because the would-be disciples approach him with their own agendas. The first is pretentious and unrealistic. He says he will follow the Lord wherever he goes but this noble impulse will be tested in the fire of homelessness, discomfort and a nomadic life. Another disciple appears keen but says he needs to attend to a family burial first. Jesus’ response can seem harsh but it is likely that the man’s father had not just died – he was alluding rather to his responsibility as the oldest son for burying his father and administrating his estate when the time came. Jesus is saying in effect that no time is right: there will always be something to prevent us from giving our life to him.
Jesus wanted his disciples to be realistic and courageous enough to face the reality of following him. However, the sweet blessings of grace outweigh the bitter cost of following the Lord. Perhaps if we were willing to learn the meaning of real discipleship and actually to become disciples, the Church in the West would be transformed and the impact on society would be staggering. What is the cost of your discipleship? What are the blessings of your discipleship?
‘Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means the life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 • Psalm 49(50):16-23
Matthew 8:18-22
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