Radical Discipleship

Following Jesus is about more than getting our name on a church membership roll.  One of the first churches I served provided a free burial plot which I was told had put more than just a few names in the membership book.  While that sounds a bit crass, it is also true that some folks do join a church for all sorts of reasons which really have nothing to do with affirming faith in Christ.  Following Jesus is also about more than being sprinkled, or immersed, or poured, or touched in some way by baptismal waters.  Becoming a follower of Jesus is not some benign act which has no real impact on the way life is lived.  On the contrary, following Jesus is a radical decision.  It speaks of change that turns life around and upside down.  

When Jesus spoke to the seeking rich young man whose story is told in the 19th chapter of Matthew, he pointed him to a radical lifestyle change.  "go," He said, "sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  (Matthew 19:21).  In another place at another time Jesus told His disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."  (Matthew 16:24). None of these words of Jesus sound like the rather dressed up words of commitment to which we responded one Sunday morning when we signed up as a member of the church.  

While those Sunday moments of commitment are viewed more as a rite of passage for the young about to be confirmed, or a social event for the more established members of the community, it is in fact a moment which is meant to open up believers to a world of radical possibilities.   Those who have will be called to share with the have nots, the ones who have clean hands will experience the necessity of getting them dirty, and the ones with hearts bent on looking out after self will be challenged to make service more of a priority than accumulating more.  If our following Jesus has lost its radical nature then maybe there is a need to go back to the beginning place.