It takes a lot to be a Christian; you have to make your share of sacrifices. That is the popular version of Christianity. Megachurch pastor, Rick Warren, teaches, on the basis of our gospel lesson for today, that "each of us will have to give a personal account to God." Eternal rewards are at stake if we have served others with our lives.1

That is only part of the story. Those concerned with purpose-driven living make it too hard, but also too easy. The whole story is evident in today's gospel lesson.

Jesus was continuing what we read last week — his commissioning and instruction of the disciples. Keep in mind that most New Testament scholars have concluded that the context of Matthew's gospel is the experience of persecution. The church that Matthew was addressing as being harassed by t…