Sermon on Willibrord of York and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)

Sermon on Willibrord of York and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)

Today, as we reflect on the life of Willibrord of York, the missionary bishop and “Apostle to the Frisians,” (the people, not the cows!) we see a man who embraced Christ’s call to “make disciples of all nations” with a remarkable passion.  Matthew 28:16-20, often called the Great Commission, resonates deeply with Willibrord’s life and ministry.  These verses capture the moment when Jesus, standing on the mountain after His resurrection, instructs His disciples to go forth, to baptize, and to teach.  Willibrord took up this commission with fervour, venturing far from his homeland to spread the gospel in what is now the Netherlands. His life offers a powerful example of dedication, faith, and resilience in the face of challenges.

In Matthew 28, Jesus gives a command to “make disciples of all nations,”.  That’s a call to all Christians to go beyond their familiar boundaries in spreading the message of God’s love.  Willibrord answered this call with a heart open to wherever God would lead him. Born in Northumbria, trained in Ireland, and sent to Frisia (modern-day Netherlands), Willibrord left everything familiar to embark on a mission of conversion and education among people who knew little of the Christian faith.

His journey was no easy task. Frisia in the 7th century was a land with a strong pagan tradition, where the message of Christ was unfamiliar and often unwelcome. Willibrord faced resistance, even hostility, and yet he pressed on. This reminds us of the courage it takes to fulfil Jesus’s commission. How often do we hesitate when God calls us to speak to a neighbour, to reach out to someone in need, or to challenge an injustice? Willibrord’s life shows us that the call to “make disciples” is not limited by borders, by language, or by the opinions of others. Rather, it is a call to step out in faith, knowing that Christ’s presence will be with us always.

Then Jesus commanded us to baptise in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Baptism is the outward symbol of inward transformation, a sacrament that welcomes us into the family of God. For Willibrord, baptism was central to his mission. His work was not just about introducing people to Jesus but about inviting them into a community where they could grow in faith, supported by others. Baptism offered new believers a sense of belonging and identity.

Willibrord’s dedication to baptizing people, despite the cultural and religious barriers he encountered, reminds us of the power of baptism to unite us across differences. Baptism doesn’t erase our unique identities but instead draws us into a shared purpose, giving us the identity of disciples. Through baptism, Willibrord gave the people of Frisia a new spiritual home, a place of belonging. This speaks powerfully to us today, encouraging us to see our baptism not just as a personal milestone but as an invitation into a lifelong journey with a community that supports and challenges us.

The third aspect of the Great Commission was Jesus’ instruction to “teach them to obey everything I have commanded you”.   Jesus’s command includes not only baptizing but also teaching. Willibrord’s missionary work went beyond converting individuals; he was dedicated to instructing them in the teachings of Christ. He established churches, trained leaders, and founded monasteries, understanding that faith needs a foundation built on understanding and wisdom.

In our fast-paced, information-saturated world, we might ask: How are we passing down the teachings of Jesus? Are we fostering a love of Scripture, a commitment to compassion, and a devotion to justice in our communities? Willibrord’s legacy challenges us to be intentional about teaching, not only through words but by modelling lives that reflect Christ’s love. He understood that true discipleship involves a transformation of both mind and heart, and he committed himself to helping others grow in their understanding of God’s Word.

At the end of the Great Commission – Jesus offer a promise: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”.  Perhaps one of the most comforting aspects of the Great Commission is that very promise to be with us “to the end of the age.” This promise gave Willibrord strength through many trials, knowing that he was not alone. History tells us that he faced setbacks, exile, and even physical threats, yet he kept moving forward. His resilience reminds us that Christ’s presence is not dependent on our circumstances. It is with us in every season, every struggle, and every triumph.

Willibrord’s perseverance is a testament to the enduring promise of Jesus’s companionship. We may not face the exact struggles he did, but we all encounter moments of doubt, loneliness, or challenge in our journey of faith. In those times, Jesus’s promise to be with us “to the end of the age” is a source of unshakeable hope. Willibrord trusted that Jesus would sustain him, and this allowed him to be bold and unafraid, even when his mission seemed uncertain.

So how can we live the Great Commission today?

Willibrord’s life urges us to consider how we might embody the Great Commission in our own context. Not all of us are called to leave our homes or travel to distant lands. Yet, each of us is called to make disciples by sharing God’s love, inviting others into community, and teaching through our words and actions. Perhaps it’s through mentoring someone younger, reaching out to someone who feels lost, or standing up for justice in our local community. Each of these actions is part of the work to which Jesus has called us.

Willibrord’s legacy teaches us that missionary work is not just about crossing physical borders but about crossing boundaries of fear, prejudice, and indifference. He reminds us that the Great Commission is lived out in everyday acts of kindness, in our willingness to serve, and in our commitment to growing in faith and love.

In closing, as we remember Willibrord and his remarkable dedication, may you be inspired to carry out the Great Commission in your own life. May you go forth with courage, baptizing in love, teaching with wisdom, and trusting that Christ’s presence will sustain us, now and always. Like Willibrord, may you be faithful ambassadors of the gospel, bringing the light of Christ to every corner of our world.  Amen.

The Cost of Discipleship

The Cost of Discipleship – A Reflection with Archbishop William Temple

(For the University of Winchester on 6 Nov 2024 - the Commemoration of William Temple)

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

In today’s passage, Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship in stark terms: “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). For those of us in academic settings, where reason, analysis, and pursuit of knowledge are daily practices, these words are a call to reflect deeply on the nature of commitment. Jesus is asking us not merely for belief, but for an allegiance that may require the sacrifice of everything we hold dear.

Archbishop William Temple, a towering figure in 20th-century Anglican thought, provides an invaluable perspective on this radical call. Temple is particularly known for linking Christian faith with a responsibility to act in society.  Notably, he was influential in the political debates which led to the creation of a welfare state, and the National Health Service, after the Second World War.  Temple’s perspective encourages us to apply our intellect and talents in service to the common good, not just personal advancement. His work reminds us that Christianity is not a private faith, nor a comfortable affiliation, but a way of life that requires an alignment between what we believe and how we live.

If you’ll allow me, I have three areas of focus I’d like to explore briefly.  First, I want to to ask what radical discipleship looks like.  Secondly, I’d like to ask how we can align our faith with our intellect.  And finally, I’d like to explore what Sacrifice and Solidarity with the Marginalized looks like.

1. A Vision of Radical Discipleship

William Temple’s writings often highlight the societal implications of the Christian life. In his influential work Christianity and Social Order, Temple makes the case that Christianity must extend beyond the walls of the church to transform the wider world. This notion complements Jesus’ call to discipleship in Luke 14:25-33. Temple asserts that a Christian’s devotion should not only be personal but should radiate outward, impacting communities and systems of society.

Temple’s vision of radical discipleship means that counting the cost, as Jesus commands, includes not just personal sacrifices but the courage to challenge injustice in society. In a university context, where ideals of fairness, truth, and progress are upheld, Temple’s insights remind us that discipleship demands more than intellectual assent; it demands action. For Temple, if our faith is real, it will lead us to care deeply about the conditions of others’ lives, to strive for justice, and to make sacrifices for the sake of the oppressed and marginalized.

Temple’s thought encourages students and academics to reflect on how our intellectual pursuits might serve the common good, extending the meaning of discipleship to embrace social, economic, and ethical concerns. This is costly because it may require us to question our assumptions, to make decisions that prioritize others’ needs over our own success, and to advocate for truth and justice, even when it is inconvenient or unpopular.

2. The Alignment of Faith and Intellect

One of the great challenges for university students and academics is finding harmony between intellectual rigor and faith. In his writings, Temple held that faith and intellect are not opposites but partners. He argued that the search for truth, wherever it may lead, is ultimately a search for God, for “all truth is God’s truth.” His theological framework sees God not only as the ultimate truth but as the foundation for all truth we seek to understand in every discipline—be it science, philosophy, or literature.

Temple’s perspective can help us understand Jesus’ command to "count the cost" as an invitation to examine not only our hearts but also our minds. For Temple, the intellect is a sacred gift to be used in service to God and others. When we commit ourselves to discipleship, it means dedicating our studies, research, and teaching to principles of truth, justice, and compassion. This may mean using our academic platform to speak out against unfair practices, whether in research ethics, social policies, or educational access.

In a society that often values intellectual prestige and individual accomplishment, Temple’s view of discipleship challenges us to ask hard questions: How do my studies contribute to the greater good? Does my research serve the common welfare, or merely my personal ambition? The cost of discipleship, therefore, includes aligning our intellect with our faith, and sometimes choosing paths of scholarship or professional action that might be less profitable or popular but more faithful.

3. Sacrifice and Solidarity with the Marginalized

Archbishop Temple was deeply concerned with the well-being of society’s most vulnerable. He argued that “the church exists primarily for those who are outside it,” reflecting the outward focus of a true disciple. This idea aligns with Jesus’ message in Luke 14:27 about “carrying the cross.” For Temple, carrying our cross means standing in solidarity with the marginalized, advocating for economic fairness, and challenging structures that perpetuate inequality.

In academic life, where resources, access, and prestige can create significant divides, Temple’s reflections push us to consider how we might “carry our cross” in a context that values competition and individual success. Discipleship might mean choosing to use our privilege to support others, to create opportunities for underrepresented voices, and to uplift the marginalized within our institutions and communities. As Temple writes, “Social welfare is rooted in a theology of incarnation”—a theology that sees God as deeply concerned with the material and social realities of all people.

Temple’s emphasis on social responsibility speaks to us in concrete terms: our faith requires us to live sacrificially, even in our educational and professional pursuits. We must be willing to consider how we can use our influence to advocate for policies that protect the vulnerable, to ensure access to resources and knowledge, and to build inclusive communities. This type of cross-bearing might not come with public recognition, but it is, in Temple’s words, an offering to God and to our neighbour.

Conclusion: A Call to Transformative Discipleship

As we reflect on Jesus’ words in Luke 14:25-33, informed by William Temple’s teachings, we are called to consider how discipleship might transform every area of our lives, including our academic pursuits. The cost is high, but the reward—participating in God’s vision of justice, love, and truth—is profound.

Temple’s perspective challenges us not only to “count the cost” of discipleship in our personal lives but to see it as a vocation that demands integrity, courage, and compassion in all spheres. For university students and academics, this means thinking critically about how our studies, our research, and our influence can contribute to a world that reflects God’s love and justice. It calls us to be both scholars and servants, to let our intellect be guided by a faith that seeks the well-being of all.

In a world that often prizes self-interest, Temple’s vision of discipleship is a reminder that following Jesus is countercultural and costly. Yet it is precisely this radical commitment that Jesus invites us to embrace—a commitment that seeks not only personal growth but the transformation of society in the name of love and truth. May you have the courage to answer this call, bearing the cross with hope, humility, and a vision of the Kingdom that Temple so passionately believed in.