If Jesus called you today, how would you respond?
In the First Book of Kings, the prophet Elijah is
weary. He prays for death, but God tells
him he must identify his successor before he can be relieved of his
responsibilities as prophet. Yet when
Elijah approaches Elisha, whom God has instructed him to anoint, Elisha stalls,
asking if he may kiss his father and mother goodbye before following Elijah. When Elijah indirectly criticizes this request,
Elisha’s response is radical: he sells
his oxen and equipment and immediately follows Elijah. It is an example of radical, wholehearted
commitment to discipleship. Like the
psalmist in Psalm 16, Elisha knows he must set
the Lord ever before him, without hesitation, rejoicing that God will show
him the path to life, fullness of joys in
God’s presence.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus likewise rebukes those who hesitate when asked to
follow him: Let the dead bury their dead, he tells one prospective
disciple. Following Jesus means giving
up everything, without looking behind. It is a difficult route to choose, but
ultimately, this radical embracing of God’s Word is the path to liberation in
the very best sense. For you were called
to freedom, Paul tells the Galatians, so do as Christ taught you: serve
one another through love. We are freed by baptism in Christ. Though we may be haunted by sin, we know that
we must constantly turn back to God, constantly endeavor to be all God intends
for us to be. We are to live by the Spirit, and be guided by the Spirit, Paul says –
meeting Christ where we can, in all those whom we encounter, demonstrating our
discipleship by revealing Christ to all, in every circumstance. How should we respond to God’s call? Go
and proclaim the kingdom of God, so
that all may know fullness of joys
in the presence of God.
This post is based on OLMC’s Thursday Scripture class.
Image source: Wordle
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