If Jesus were walking the streets of this country would he recognize those of us who call ourselves his followers? What does the word Christian mean in this nation at the present time? The Jesus of history was someone who spoke truth to power regardless of the consequences. He was inclusive and welcomed “tax collectors and sinners”, the despised of his time, to his table. He called the poor, the merciful, the peace-makers, the pure of heart, the justice seekers, blessed. Women were welcomed among his followers. He healed the sick and called the one who helped an unknown sufferer “neighbor.” To the end he held to his beliefs. Would Jesus know some of us American Christians as his disciples if he met us on the street today?
Prayer
Come follow me.
Action
Read Matthew 5.
Ask yourself some hard questions about attitudes you see toward the major issues of our times and your own agreement or disagreement.
Suggested Reading
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
Let us not forget: if we are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, our lives must bear witness to what we preach.
Pope Francis
..Christ did not appoint professors, but followers. If Christianity … is not reduplicated in the life of the person expounding it, then he does not expound Christianity, for Christianity is a message about living and can only be expounded by being realized in men’s lives.
Soren Kierkegaard
The Christian ideal has not been found tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried.
GK Chesterton
Discipleship is not an option. Jesus says that if anyone would come after me, he must follow me
Jim Keller
Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you..
Dallas Willard
The Great Commission was given by Jesus to all and every Christian, not only to pastors or missionaries.
Cristina Boersma
If the Church is not Making Disciples, then all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible, are a waste of time.
C.S. Lewis