Message for Pentecost 13, Sunday, September 7, 2025

My Dear Brothers & Sisters,

The focus of the Gospel reading is on the “Demands of Discipleship”, and we note the very strict, uncompromising and no-nonsense approach adopted by Jesus to those who responded to the call to follow him.  His words sounded decidedly harsh, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father, mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself cannot be my disciple.”  It was clear that Jesus required a wholehearted and disciplined approach from those who answered the call to follow him. 

Bonhoeffer the German pastor and theologian, who was martyred in his homeland towards the end of World War II, stated in his book entitled The Cost of Discipleship, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”  Nothing short of the willingness to give everything one has, and this includes even the giving of one’s life, is considered by Jesus to be an acceptable response to his call to discipleship.  Please bear in mind that discipleship is a personal response to a personal call from Jesus, so each person determines where he or she stands in this relationship with Jesus, and has no authority whatsoever to judge others.

Now, I want you to contrast this strict approach by Jesus to those who would become his followers with what appears to be a soft approach to those outside the fold.  Jesus was accused on a number of occasions by the Pharisees and the scribes of encouraging slackness.  On this occasion, their comment was, and I use here Eugene Peterson’s translation, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.”  Jesus responded by telling them three parables.  In them, he makes the point that God’s approach to the lost is one of mercy, and God’s mercy breaks through all human restrictions.  This attitude of mercy is of vital importance if one is to reach out to those who have lost their way in life.  Without mercy we would be incapable of engaging in mission, for mission demands that we meet people where they are, and that is by no means an easy thing for some of us to understand. 

Discipleship on the one hand, is about our relationship with Christ, and here the highest standard of discipline is demanded.  Mission on the other hand, is about reaching out to the lost, and it calls for an attitude of grace, love and mercy.  The Apostle Paul went as far as to say, “I have become all things to all people, in order that I might save some.”  Jesus made it plain to his critics that he did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.  The business of Jesus must become the main business of his church.  It is a point that we have been making by promoting the involvement of our members in mission and evangelism.

Finally, I don’t want you to lose sight of the outcome of mission.  It brings joy to the heart of God, and it brings joy to the church.  Joy in heaven and joy on earth!  Ponder these things.

Contributed