Reality Discipleship

THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL: Luke 14:25-33

Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions."

Ever watch those reality TV shows like Survivor, the Amazing Race or America’s Got Talent?

What connection can you make between these shows and the Sunday’s Gospel lesson? What does each require? What does each ask of the participants? Is there a cost associated with these journeys? Is there a reward? Is there a connection between your life of faith and this call to preparation and commitment? How have you experienced this? Do you experience the same call at work, at the club, in your social circles, at church? What does this look like in your life?

In this lesson, Jesus clearly notes that the reality of discipleship requires a conscious choice and commitment to a journey that is not always easy. Join us on Sunday as we explore these questions through word and sacrament and reflect on what Jesus was talking about when he called people to participate in “reality discipleship.”