The Way of Discipleship

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16 :24-25

This is a hard saying and not undertaken lightly.  We don’t have to know very much of Christian history and witness to know that many have given their physical lives in honor of the pledge to follow Jesus and Him alone.

All of us are called to wrestle with this idea of denying ourselves entirely in order to follow Christ.  Each will make an effort, some will make a bargain, and very few will be able to move so far toward Christ that life itself is nothing without Him.

As I pray with this saying-and have done for much of my adult Christian life-I am left with the single-mindedness of this invitation.  It is a description of purity of heart.  It is the grace to ‘will one thing.’  And this grace will come through God’s generosity and mercy.

So-what is my part ?

An invitation has been issued.  I am asked to RSVP.  On some days my response is whole hearted-Yes !  But on many days, my answer will be a fearful, I will try with God’s help.

Through prayer and worship and fellowship, I will seek the strength of spirit that wants Christ, and Christ alone.  I will reflect upon the pathway that leads to the Cross.  I will undertake to walk in the Way of Christ.

I will not be able to do this alone.  It will take the encouragement and the witness of the community.  I will need to join with others, for this is not a singular walk.

If you would like to join a community, looking at what it means to be a disciple, consider Theology and Spirit-a class on-line and on-site at St. James Parish.

Blessings,

Debra