02-19-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 19, 2020
Scripture: Luke 6:40
Disciples aren’t greater than their teacher, but whoever is fully prepared will be like their teacher.

Thought for the Day: I am rereading Derek Penwell’s book, “Outlandish: An Unlikely Messiah, a Messy Ministry, and the Call to Mobilize.” He has some very thought-provoking lines, and the following caught my attention last night:

Jesus calls us to go on an adventure, not a church picnic. And if we’re going to follow his example, we should be honest about the fact that the cost of discipleship is steep.

Too often we have made following Jesus into a feeling or a heavenly prize at the end of the race. Those might be a part of it, but in reading the Gospels, they make a very small part of this thing called discipleship. In the last couple of years, I have had people say to me, “You’ve taken some real risks in your ministry.” That feels good, but it is also laughable. At no point have any of my choices jeopardized my life or the life of those I love. I might lose a job or a friendship, but that ain’t real risk when we look at the long arch of eternal love working in the lives of humble servants throughout history. I don’t know exactly what risk looks like for a white middle-class male with a pension and medical insurance through the Exchange. Maybe I’m missing an opportunity to be like my teacher who gave up everything.

Prayer: O Jesus my friend, continue to teach and prepare me for a life that might resemble your life. I’m not too sure if I am really ready for it, but wherever you need me to go, I will try. Amen.

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