The invitation
by Pastor Tim Castle-Schmidt
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Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead’ (Mark 8:38).
We often hear and read these words as a threat to us, the demand to give up everything and follow Jesus. And this is precisely what Jesus asks of us. And yet, if we can reframe it from a demand to an invitation, ‘come with me, and see what we can do together’, it is totally different. Then the demand becomes an offer, an invitation to a whole new way of living.
I think this is what Jesus asks of us: to consider an alternative way of living that rejects the consumerist, prosperity-driven lifestyle of the world. The invitation is to, like Jesus, transcend our self-centred way of living to live for others and advocate for fairness and justice, not just locally but also globally.
As we continue through the season of Lent and reflect upon our call to discipleship, I hope that we can see this as an exciting and fulfilling call. This call invites us to live in a new way. We have been brought into the New Covenant in which Jesus lives through us. As we follow him, he invites us to be his presence in the world.
Lord Jesus, help us to follow you and find fulfilment in living in a new way with you. Amen.
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