15th May 2026

A good disciple.

Luke 7: 36 – 50, 1 Tim 4: 12 – 16.

What a dangerous, messy world we are living in.

Politicians stoke the fears of voters, world leaders insist that the truth is whatever they say it is, homelessness, poverty and broken relationships are still major concerns in our city.

What are we to do?

Jesus insists that, however tempting it may be, we should not be dragged down into the noise but show that there is another way. In this passage from Luke, we meet Simon the Pharisee who sees a woman as a sinner and fears the scandal her proximity may bring. Jesus accepts the gifts she brings, knows that God’s forgiveness is real and responds to her with love.

Behind the façade there is always a deeper story. We are not being called to excuse lies and hatred but we should be looking deeper for the fear that lurks beneath.

This dangerous, messy world is God’s world. We are called to be people who look beneath the surface, to be a community where all are welcome to bring their gifts, to be disciples who model a better way to be.

Nick Parsons

PS Since the start of Lent I have been reading a book of sermons which has provided inspiration for the above. It is Faith on the Way by Tom Kennar.