Third Sunday after Pentecost: Gospel, Luke 9:51-62               

Luke 9:51-62

So many parallels between this gospel reading and our Old Testament lesson this week. We find the question of discipleship rising out of the discussion as Jesus walks through unwelcoming Samaria. Jesus gives the same challenge Elijah gives to an eager Elisha. While calling on the Lord and showing desire to follow him is important, so is counting the cost. The eminent Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him ‘come and die.’” That is the call of the disciple. And we have One who has accomplished the task for us. God be praised.