SortingBeans

So, I finally read a book that has been beckoning me for a while

A friend of mine, Don, gave me a book some time ago. Actually, it was like a year or more ago. It is the book The Cost of Discipleship, written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I just began reading it and am through the first chapter and half way through the second. So far, I love this book. I wonder why in the world did I wait so long to read it.

I would like to give you an excerpt of one of my favorite parts thus far, among many others. First, I will give you the Scripture passage that this excerpt follows:(I cannot find which translation this is, but it is closest to the American Standard Version, ASV)

“And they went to another village. And as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, ‘I will follow thee withersoever thou goest.’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘The foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.’ And he said unto another, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.’ But he said unto him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead, but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.’ And another said, ‘I will follow thee, Lord; but suffer me first to bid farewell to them that are at my house.’ But Jesus said unto him, ‘No man, having put his hand unto the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:57-62 ASV)

Says Bonhoeffer,

“The first disciple offers to follow Jesus without waiting to be called. Jesus damps his ardour by warning him that he does not know what he is doing. In fact he is quite incapable of knowing. That is the meaning of Jesus’ answer – he shows the would-be disciple what life with him involves. . . . The gulf between a voluntary offer to follow and genuine discipleship is clear.
But where Jesus calls, he bridges the widest gulf. The second would-be disciple wants to bury his father before he starts to follow. He is held bound by the trammels of the law. He knows what he wants and what he must do. Let him first fulfill the law, and then let him follow. A definite legal ordinance acts as a barrier between Jesus and the man he has called. But the call of Jesus is stronger than the barrier. At this critical moment nothing on earth, however sacred, must be allowed to come between Jesus and the man he has called – not even the law itself. Now, if never before, the law must be broken for the sake of Jesus; it forfeits all its rights if it acts as a barrier to discipleship. Therefore Jesus emerges at this point as the opponent of the law, and commands a man to follow him. Only the Christ can speak in this fashion. He alone has the last word. His would-be follower cannot kick against the pricks. This call, this grace, is irresistible” (60-61).

Wow, what a devotional commentary!

There are far more quotes that I have highlighted in this short 1 1/2 chapters I have read. But I thought this one may bless you today. So as I read this book, I cannot help but think of how great a discipleship book it is – that two or more people can get some good feedback with each other if they were to read it together.

Did you see it coming?

So, my question to you is if you would like to do some devotional writing on this. Would you? I understand that you probably don’t have the book, and I certainly cannot buy one for you, but I CAN highlight some significant thoughts of each chapter and write a brief commentary of those chapters here on SortingBeans. Then, we can discuss the ideas and have some devotional dialog. What do you think? If you think you would enjoy this, I will blog about it. There are like 31 chapters, but I don’t think it will take a long time to do the devotions.

This one’s up to you. The ball is in your court!

- Jonathan J.

Disclaimer: I do not fully know the theological supposition and framework of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Therefore, I cannot fully endorse all his views or words or theology as of now. Thus far, The Cost of Discipleship seems very solid. I will be certain to mention anything I have disagreements with in his exposition(s), as you are welcome to do the same. But remember, this is just a devotion.