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2nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This week the Gospel and other lessons continue our investigation into authentic
discipleship. Probably this Sunday comes closest to Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Cheap
Grace,” and book title, “The Cost of Discipleship.” His story stands as a
20th century beacon of discipleship, calling to mind many Christians past and present who
have taken up the cross and followed Jesus-at no little inconvenience.
Genesis 21:8-21-All in the Family
This Sunday holds a piece of the Abrahamic tradition that congregations often never
hear . . . the least visited site of Abraham’s family tree. We meet Hagar with no
status and no hope, yet in the ends up the progenitor of a clan of people every bit as
prominent and numerous as Israel. We catch an unflattering picture of Sarah who drives
Hagar to what should be certain death. Like Moses, David, Abraham, and Jacob, we get
enough information about Sarah to reveal her faults as well as accomplishments. However,
in this story the core of gravity centers in Hagar. The bondwoman makes two journeys into
the wilderness where she receives God’s promise of a son and ends up on the receiving
end of grace.
Romans 6:1b-11-Correcting a Faulty Logic . . .
What great therapy for Christians who forget their identity! Every line is a gem. This
baptismal passage reminds us of our past, present, and future-in Christ. As well, Paul
motivates and inspires a discipleship that reflects our glorious history in Christ. Being
connected to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we are able to walk in newness
of life. How could anyone ever want to return to the old ways of living? God forbid!
Matthew 10:24-39-Cheap Grace or What is the Cost of Discipleship?
Hard words about following Jesus. This famous “Fear Not” sermon, states that
the history of the One may well be the history of the many. How Jesus treated the
disciples may well be how followers will be treated. But then comes the “fear
not” part: do not fear those whose hurt and anger cannot not touch the soul-for God
is God of all of us-body, soul, and spirit. Fear God, Jesus’ says in essence. The
path of Jesus’ is clearly wrought with trials and tribulations, affecting even family
members. Jesus is clear, “whoever loves father or mother . . . son or daughter more
than me is not worthy of me.” None of us will escape the cost of discipleship that
Jesus describes. “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of
me.” That which looks like life is death, but what looks like death is life. Do no
fear, because finally discipleship leads to life.
