At the end of Luke chapter 9, Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). It is with this resoluteness that Jesus continues the rest of his ministry: a singleminded focus on the plan of redemption for which God had sent him. He is determined to do the will of his Father and to bring the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. It is through his determination that he heals the broken, confronts the authorities, questions loyalties and meekly endures scorn and shame, all on the journey to the cross.

This is the meaning of discipleship, a resolute following of Jesus to ministry of the Kingdom of God. This call to be disciples of Jesus requires a radical commitment. It is a call on each of our lives and it may result in alienation, in setting aside cultural norms and in making choices that go outside of the boundaries of family expectations. You have been warned.

And what is our task? What is this ministry of the Kingdom of God? Our singleminded focus is to live in step with the Spirit of God so that our submission to his will may result in fruit. Yes, the fruit (singular) is the result of our submission to the Spirit, our following of Jesus with resolute courage. Our individual lives will begin to be characterized by this Fruit which only the Spirit of God can make grow in us. And this fruit is not for us alone, it is for the transformation of our community, for the common good.

So root deeply into the community to which God has called you and begin calling out the Fruit of the Spirit in one another. Make it a common and resolute purpose to follow Jesus undistracted, pedal to the metal, and watch that Fruit multiply.

The call from God for each of us is to follow Jesus in the singleminded task of the ministry of kingdom of God: to Love one another. Our focus is to submit to the Spirit of God and allow his Fruit to grow in us and transform our earthly community into the Kingdom of God on earth.