The Cost of Discipleship

In many Christian Lexicons April 9th was dedicated to Dietrich Bonheoffer.  He a pastor and theologian who was arrested April 5th, 1941 and was executed April 9th, 1945 – days before the final Allied push into Germany that would have freed him.

There are records that show Hitler had a special ‘hate on’ for Dietrich – it might be because Dietrich was a leader in the underground resistance, a vocal and unabashed critic, and was likely a key figure in the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler.

Dietrich constantly decried the injustices and atrocities committed against the Jewish people, the weak and the disabled.  He had numerous opportunities to escape and live a life of relative comfort and safety.  He was actually living and studying in the US for a while but the longings of family and his responsibilities to the underground church drew him home.  He then was invited to, and for a few years, pastored a small German congregation in England.  But again he felt a powerful and unrelenting call to return to the fatherland and bring leadership and encouragement to the Christian’s that where taking a stand against what was happen – Many stories have surfaced since that there where many German Christian who took a stand and paid the ultimate price.  There are also many accounts of these same Christians begging for help from the Christians community abroad – and they refused to get involved.

There is a book compiled of Dietrich’s letters to his parents, his friends and his fiancé – entitled “Letters from Prison” – in those letters you see the struggle that he had with his faith, his responsibility and the thin line between life and death – even though he had to be extremely careful what he wrote because every word was being read before it left the prison, we gain deep insight into his prayer and thought life.   There are reports from other prisoners who survived that Dietrich conducted himself above reproach while in prison with such grace and gentleness toward the other prisoners and also the guards that when possible they were lenient and gentle toward him.  But when that final order came from Hitler himself, they carried it out without hesitation.

I recently received a firsthand report of Christian pastor in Somalia who is under extreme risk and personal cost because of his faith.   His statement; “They slaughter Christians by knife, or shoot them. Or chop off their hands and legs” is one that is foreign and incomprehensible to us.  There were news reports recently revealing that the arrest of Pastors in Iran are escalating and that persecution of Christians in the Middle East are reaching unprecedented heights.  – A reporter for the American Thinker magazine writes “It’s a bad time to be a Christian in the Middle East.”

In light of the realities that people like Bonhoeffer have faced and our Christian brothers and sisters are currently facing in many countries today, the words found in today’s readings are particularly haunting.

Proverbs 3:1-7

"My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.
Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;"

Psalm 119:95-96

"Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me,
I will apply my mind to your decrees.
I see that all things come to an end,
but your commandment has no bounds."

Jesus warns of the Cost of Discipleship (also the title of a book written by Dietrich): To follow Jesus means one’s life – total life – spiritual and physical -- heart, mind, soul and strength.  “Unless you take up your cross and follow me…”

The focus on Dietrich has caused me ask the question "What is my responsibility here and now as a follower of Christ?"  Can I, do I possess the strength and conviction to both:

1. Deny myself and follow him – to bind His teaching and commandments on my heart?
2. Defy the pressures of surrounding society even though it may cost me personally – things like reputation, comfort, safety,  and if necessary my own life?

I run little risk of being slaughtered or arrested in my own country for my faith but I do run the risk of become so assimilated into society and its comforts and sensibilities that my own Christian faith becomes an outer coat of convenience I wear instead of the conviction of  my heart.

Do I possess the strength and conviction to follow through on my convictions? This is a tough question, but through it all we must keep in mind and seek to faithfully live out Micah 6:8:

"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, seek kindness and walk humbly with your God."

In whatever we do today and in whatever situation we many confront us tomorrow.

Prayer:

My Lord, My God.  Help me this day to follow you fully.
Cause me to live out justice, humility and kindness regardless of the personal cost.
May faithfulness and integrity be my right and left hand.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be centred on and direct by you this day.  
Amen.

Additional readings: Proverbs 3:1-7, Psalm 119:89-96, Matthew 13:47-52