Richard Foster once said that superficiality was the curse of our age. It seems today for so many, even those who claim to be Christians that commitments are shallow and  allegiances fleeting

Maybe that is why we these words of Jesus so alien in their implications.:

“Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22

Jesus challenges us to move beyond mild admiration, casual observance, or even enthusiastic support and embrace a life of genuine discipleship. Jesus cut through our natural preference for comfort and convenience, reminding us that following Him demands our utmost commitment.

I think we all need reminding from time to time that Jesus doesn’t seek passive spectators or fair-weather fans; He calls on us to walk the narrow path of discipleship, leaving behind whatever would hinder us from pursuing Him wholeheartedly. This call to discipleship requires a willingness to prioritize Jesus above all else, even in the face of cultural expectations or even personal obligations.

Jesus’ words always turn my mind to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian during the rise of Nazi Germany, grappled with the essence of true discipleship in the midst of challenging times for authentic Christianity. He understood that following Jesus meant embodying His teachings in every aspect of life, even when it meant standing against the prevailing pressure from the government and other people. Bonhoeffer famously coined the term “cheap grace” to describe the shallow, convenient faith that fails to transform lives. For him, true discipleship meant embracing the costly grace of Christ, a grace that demands everything from us but also offers everything to us in return.

In perhaps his best-known book “The Cost of Discipleship,” Bonhoeffer echoes Jesus’ radical call to “followership”. He writes, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” And this was Bonhoeffer’s path in life, he followed Jesus even when it led to a Nazi gallows in 1945.

So I am trying to listen again to Jesus’ call to discipleship. I aspire to embrace the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as I try and navigate the complexities of following Jesus today with all the expectations and pressures I face.

May we all move beyond the realm of being mere fans and embrace the radical adventure of true discipleship, knowing that in following Jesus, we find the fullness of life and purpose for which we were created.