Fit for the kingdom.1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62 The invitation from death to life continues with the call to discipleship dis·ci·ple n. 1. a. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. b. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy. 2. , first from Elijah, then Jesus. When Elijah throws a mantle over Elisha, symbolically choosing him as a disciple disciple: see apostle. and prophet, Elisha does not hesitate to respond: "He returned from following him, took the yoke yoke (yok) 1. a connecting structure. 2. jugum. yoke n. See jugum. yoke, n 1. something that connects or binds. of oxen oxen adult castrated male of any breed of Bos spp. , and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant" (1 Kings 19:21). Elisha answers the call to discipleship with his whole being and his whole life; in destroying his former livelihood, he makes his loyalties absolutely clear and signifies his lifelong commitment to God. Jesus does not encounter such devotion ha his own search for disciples. When he approaches the Samaritans, historic Jewish enemies for social and religious reasons, "they did not receive him" (Luke 9:53). Just as his Galilean ministry began with rejection, Jesus" journey toward Jerusalem, and his eventual death, also begins with rejection by the Samaritans. Jesus' invitation, however, is not an easy one to accept. Even those who profess pro·fess v. pro·fessed, pro·fess·ing, pro·fess·es v.tr. 1. To affirm openly; declare or claim: "a physics major to want to follow him are met with caution. Jesus assures them that conditions for discipleship are even more strict that Elijah's, for he forbids them to say goodbye to their families or even to bury their dead: "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim pro·claim tr.v. pro·claimed, pro·claim·ing, pro·claims 1. To announce officially and publicly; declare. See Synonyms at announce. 2. the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:60). Jesus' gospel is only for the living, and for those who are prepared to seize the new life of the kingdom without a moment's hesitation. Jesus further separates himself from association with Elijah by rejecting the disciples' urge to seek revenge upon those who reject them; he "turned and rebuked them" (Luke 9:55) because they insist on the ways of death. If Elijah's call to discipleship was extreme, Jesus" was even more radical, highlighting the difficulty of "being fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Clearly, discipleship is as radical a choice now as it was then. How will we respond? "Preaching the Word," Sojourners' new online resource for sermon preparation and Bible study Bible study may refer to:
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