Sunday 04 September 2022 is the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. The main Lectionary reading for today is from Luke’s Gospel (Luke 14: 25-35).
In many ways, it’s an astonishing passage in terms of “selling” the Christian faith to potential followers. At first sight, Jesus seems to be saying: “Want to be my disciple, do you? Well, in that case you have to learn to hate your family, give up your possessions, and get ready for a nasty death!”
Below, you will find the section from Luke as excerpted from The Message Bible translation and then the video of today’s service, including Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon on Jesus’ challenge and how it should be interpreted in practice.
We also welcome our new Associate Minister, Christine McWhirter, to a service for the first time today. See her “Address to the Young at Heart”, as part of the service.
Today’s main scripture
Luke 14:25-35 (from The Message translation of the Bible)
Figure the Cost
25-27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.
28-30 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
31-32 “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
33 “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.
34-35 “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing.
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”
Video Service from St James’ – 04 Sep 2022
It comes as a shock to be told to ‘hate’ your parents, wife and children, and siblings; but when the instruction goes one step further, that one must hate one’s own self, and be prepared for shameful death – then we begin to see what’s going on.
REV. GEOFF MCKEE
