The kind of discipleship for which Christ calls is not an impossible ideal. Here are seventy who have followed Christ, the Lord of the harvest, on his terms and are sent out -before his face- as labourers in the harvest field.--This sermon considers the situation they faced, the instructions they received, and the division they provoked, as their message of God's kingdom coming near in Christ revealed the true sons of peace.

In considering a true Christian's commitment to the principled pursuit of godliness with increasing attainment in holiness, we have addressed the driving principle and the divine pattern. Now we move on to

On the road toward Jerusalem, Christ engages with three characters in a way which reveals the nature of true discipleship- Mr Promiser, Mr Delayer, and Mr Negotiator.

Luke's Gospel shifts forward as Christ turns from Galilee toward Jerusalem. As he takes that road, we consider the journey to Jerusalem -Christ's sense that the time of his triumph and the cost of it, are very much before his eyes-- the strife with the Samaritans -the ignorant and antagonistic rejection that he suffered-- the desire of the disciples -the flawed zeal and angry faith that made them ready to destroy the Samaritans-, and the compassion of the Christ -who has come not to destroy but to save, and who would have his disciples partake of his own gracious and merciful spirit-.

In an atmosphere tinged with awe, the disciples must learn lessons in humility- a warning about suffering, a rebuke about pride, and lesson about unity, all in a context conditioned by his own readiness to suffer for the sake of his people.