Scripture:He turned to them and said: … 'Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” ' (Luke 14.25-30)ReflectionHas it ever occurred to you that following Jesus might have consequences? Jesus knows this, and he wants his followers to be aware of it too. Not because he wants to scare us off, but by becoming a disciple we are entering into a process of transformation, where our values change and our priorities shift away from the mainstream. This can be costly in all sorts of ways…are we prepared to ‘carry this cross’ and follow where Jesus leads us? Revd Ylva
Scripture:Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’ Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. (Hebrews 13:5-8)ReflectionAt the end of a trial, the judge gives a summary of the evidence so that the jury has a clear reminder of what the case is about before they give their verdict. At the end of Hebrews, the writer gives us a summary of what it means to be people of faith. There’s been a rollcall of people of faith; what their faith has led them to do, or to endure. People such as Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel and many others. (Good role models.)Having learnt what faith is, the writer of Hebrews challenges us to think about how we will live out our faith in our community today.Our confidence to be able to say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid” – whatever life throws at me – comes from the this promise in one line from Hebrews, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” Knowing that is how we live out our faith each day.Revd DavidRevd David
