Being A Disciple of Jesus: The Toughest Job In the World

"Today's Devotion" For March 19, 2005

Read: John 15:12-16:4; I John 3:11-24

BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS: THE TOUGHEST JOB IN THE WORLD

"'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (Jn. 8:31b-32)

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. It's come around every year for, ummmm, ohhhh, approximately 1,972 years (give or take a few), starting with the actual event when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to the rousing chorus of the people, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!" (Mt. 21:9) The Christian Church has celebrated it for centuries, yet I'm no so certain we've really always understood its significance for our own lives and living. While not the culmination of Jesus' work of redemption, or the completion of His obedience to the Father, it nevertheless it is an example of what living as a disciple of Jesus Christ really means. After almost three years of ministry, healing the sick, raising the dead, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, this triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem reminds us that people see what we do and how we live--they take notice of our discipleship.

In the "Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations" by David F. Burgess, I ran across a quotation from a news magazine's article about "The Toughest Job in the World." I've copied it here for you with a slight editorial change. In the place where the phrase "making decisions" appeared in the article, I've replaced it with the phrase, "being a disciple."

"It can be more fatiguing than a day of stonecutting. It can be more
nerve-racking than a day of heart surgery. It can bring success,
happiness, life...or failure, unhappiness, death. In today’s security-
conscious society, it's a job fewer people want to tackle. It’s not for
for the reckless who can be dangerous. It invites ridicule, criticism, and
unpopularity. But without it the world stands still. It is the lonely, ulcerous,
precarious job of ‘being a disciple’."

Being a disciple, living as a Christian is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the "Toughest Job in the World." Certainly we wouldn’t expect to get ulcers because disciples don’t worry, do they? And, as Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us, we aren’t going to feel lonely, are we? To ignore the fact that our sinfulness can lead us into such problems, even as we are faithful, is foolish. Being realistic about our discipleship we also recognize that there may be times and circumstances when our speaking to an issue or a situation from the position of a disciple might make us unpopular or put us in a dangerous or precarious position. Yet, living as a disciple of Jesus Christ means following Him no matter what the consequences. To live as a disciple of Jesus Christ means to be just plain stubbornly devoted and committed to our Lord and Savior in all we do. It means serving the Lord as the “not quite wise enough or good enough” to deserve the name "Christian," who nevertheless have been blessed by God with that very name.

When we put being a disciple of Jesus Christ into perspective, we begin to realize that there is nothing so difficult in the world, nor anything so marvelous and rewarding in all of Creation. Having our sins forgiven and having the hope of eternal life in Christ makes living for Christ a phenomenally difficult and challenging experience. In everything we do we are called to be disciples, living, working, and being with people in ways that reflect God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in our lives. Obedience to our Father in heaven doesn't mean we hide from the world, but that we live in the world and provide the "seasoning" to every situation of life. "Making decisions" isn't as tough as making decisions to live each day in a way that is pleasing to God. The rigors of Christian discipleship challenge our security and physical safety daily. Jesus invited the attention of His enemies when He openly rode into Jerusalem. Following in His footsteps, we can be certain we'll experience the same thing.

By the power of God's Word and Spirit, we are equipped to be faithful, living disciples of Jesus Christ. In the washing of Holy Baptism, we have God's power and promise to live confident lives of faith each day. No matter the circumstances we might face, we carry out our living and working, not as "holy rollers" who always are "pushing religion" on others, but as true disciples whose lives reflect our heritage as the Children of God in Jesus Christ. While "being a disciple" might be the "toughest job in the world," it's not a lonely job, nor is it a thankless job. Nothing we do or say occurs without our Father seeing it or hearing it, and that means we're assured at all times that we are living and working in the presence of our Father in heaven. While we may not be acknowledged by "Man," we are acknowledged by our Father in heaven for He holds us in the very palm of His hand and nothing can take us away from His love.

Prayer: Father, as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He was glorified and praised by the people, but derided by their leaders. For almost three years of ministry He had preached the Gospel, healed the sick, restored the maimed and blind, and raised the dead. Everyone saw those works, and still so many refused to repent and believe. Father, I have to admit that I, too, often fail to acknowledge Jesus. Often I hide from the world, as if the world itself was evil and not Your Creation. Help me to follow Jesus' example by walking boldly and confidently in faith through every moment of my life. Lead me to be a disciple who speaks and acts with integrity and purpose, living out Your love in the presence of others. Give me boldness to live in the world, not hide from it. Whatever cross I am to bear, I pray that You will give me the strength to do so with courage and faith. Hear me, gracious Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus my Savior and Lord. Amen.
*************************************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.