A Rebuke Is No Bad Thing
Preacher: Marcia C. Wilkinson

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Luke 9:51-62

This morning’s gospel takes us on Jesus’ last journey.  While I was reflecting on the text I was reminded of another journey; the one in the Canterbury Tales in which Chaucer gave a vivid picture of life in the 14th century. His description of characters portrays the breadth of humanity with all of our joys, sorrow, complexities of sin and our saintliness.  Things have not changed with the human condition.

The interesting thing about the Canterbury Tales – that while the pilgrims in the tales are on a journey, in Chaucer’s time people rarely traveled at all.  The rich had horses and would drive short distances, but most were destined to remain in their local communities.

This was also true for people in Jesus’ time.  Except for one journey.  The yearly pilgrimage from Galilee to the holy city of Jerusalem, about 3-4 days walk.  And, on that walk the Jews would tell again their story of the Exodus, the great journey from Egypt to the Promised Land and how God saved them.

Jesus is now on that pilgrimage, his final one.  While the distance is relatively short, much will happen that reveals Jesus is on God’s mission.  This journey is to involve all humanity.  Jesus illustrated that all who choose to follow him must be willing-literally willing-to follow in his footsteps.  This journey is not easy, not for the fainthearted.  There is bound to be some trouble!  But…following in the way of Christ is possible because we are transformed--made new, and are given the power of God’s Spirit to suffer and persevere in order to live into the truth of Jesus.

Jesus’ first teaching for disciples on the journey is central to the whole of Scripture.  The heart of God is open to all, and belongs to all who follow Jesus.  This word comes to the disciples as a rebuke when messengers are sent ahead to tell the Samaritans Jesus was coming.  Going through Samaritan territory was the shortest route however the Samaritans were not about to welcome Jesus or fellow Jews.  There was no respect but a hatred for the Jews because Samaritans believed Jerusalem was not the place of true worship.  For the Samaritans, the holy city was Mt. Gerizim.  So when they rejected Jesus and would not welcome him into their village, the disciples went right to revenge and suggested torching the place to get even, to show them who really held the power.

Jesus rebuked them.  They didn’t understand him or his message.  Jesus’ mission was not about sweeping aside people who were resistant to him but to bring in a new kingdom of such grace, so encompassing, so strong and broad to give everyone the opportunity to turn to him.  And, this included the Samaritans. Jesus would not give up; he would reach out to the Samaritans and all outsiders- even if they said no. For Jesus’ journey to the cross was a cross of forgiveness, love and salvation, and, there was no room for hatred and retaliation.

What does it take to be a disciple?  Jesus gives his expectations to three people. The first person readily volunteers to follow Jesus anywhere but he is told to travel without baggage.  If one is to be free to go out amongst the people, one can’t be encumbered with things.  Jesus was being practical.  His message was essential and held first priority before any creature comforts and security.  Simple living with personal sacrifice was required.

I met Bishop Ben Kwashi several years ago at a mission conference.  He is a man of deep conviction for the Lord with a booming voice to match.  There is great passion and clarity about what he prays, teaches and preaches.  Because of his passion for the Lord, there is much opposition to him by the Muslims in his African country.  His home and churches have been burned to the ground several times. When asked if he wanted people to raise funds for rebuilding he said “No.”  Just help me to raise one million souls to the Lord… When the terrorists couldn’t get to him they came and brutally beat his wife and left her for dead.   Bishop Ben will not be silenced.  Sacrifice in the extreme is a way of life for him and the cost to follow Christ is great.  He can do nothing else.  He is wholly committed to bring God’s love and forgiveness to all who will listen.

The second person in the gospel was given an invite by Jesus to follow but he needed some time.  The obligation to bury one’s father was regarded by the Jews as the most holy and binding duty of a son.  Tradition was their way to show reverence to God and to honor ancestors and the head of the home.  When Jesus said, “let the dead bury their own dead,” he was saying those who don’t know me are dead and they can bury the dead.  Jesus was showing the man that new life came with Jesus, and what he had to offer was greater by far than all traditions.  Jesus was not advocating dishonoring relatives who die or denying value of customs.  Rather, he was putting life in perspective.  In the new kingdom if Christ is placed first, all else will follow in the right order.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, known for his book the Cost of Discipleship, said, "unfortunately the word of Jesus has been overlaid with human stuff--burdensome rules, regulations, man made dogmas, false hopes, abstract discussions and excuses for not following."  In other words, we use Jesus to put forth our own understandings because the basic tenets of the faith are lacking.  People do not come to know Christ through these avenues.  Instead, people come to Christ because they are seeking something, and when they hear his words of loving truth, and receive his forgiveness then what happens?  Their hearts are grateful.  Then they are ready to learn more of God and God’s ways.

The third person wants to follow but has doubts.  He needs to first say goodbye to family.  Jesus compares such a person with one who begins to plough a field and looks back and ends up with crooked rows.  This person is not really sure and resolved to follow.  Jesus demands full attention because he knows that this level of commitment will bear fruit and bring a depth to life that we can’t even imagine is possible until it happens.

I understand the need to say goodbye.  I had only been at the cathedral in B’ham one month when I received word that my mother had died.  Norm and I were due to fly to Ct. to see her, and when the news came I grieved that I had not been able to be with her at the end.  Before the funeral my sister handed me the letter I had written to Mom for Mother’s Day.  It was still unopened.  In it I had thanked her for all she had been as loving mother who sacrificed for her five children, who cared for us no matter what the trouble might have been, and for her strong faith that was lived out for our family and others.  I so wanted her to know what she had given me, and my family was treasure.  In the next months and years, God’s healing came as God provided others for me to pray with, minister to and be present to them--ordinary ways--listening, touching, praying, being there.  God heard my cry of doubt that I hadn’t done enough for my mother at the end, and he reassured me by giving me the privilege of ministering to others and allowing me to hold them before the Lord.  His was a precious gift.

The questions raised in our gospel are important for us at ASC:
Where does Jesus want to take us?  And, are we willing to take the risk and follow?  Why is this journey so important?  What could Jesus possibly offer that is better than all we already have?  Are we willing to check our priorities, make sacrifices and give up things for the sake of the gospel?  Are we ready to follow Christ into the future without looking back?

To follow Christ is not easy my friends. We are orthodox in that our faith is based on the person of Jesus Christ, and Scripture is the authority and inspiration of our faith.  We know, too, there are struggles in the church between different understandings of what “orthodox” means.  What is our challenge today… for you and me and for our parish?  Our challenge is to live into Christ together by opening our doors, those glass doors to those whose hearts seek refuge.  And, for those of us already inside the doors, to be obedient to God’s Word and ways of Christ first, and to commit to love each other in such ways that others will know we are the people who not only claim our faith but live it graciously.  Not either or, but both together.

It is Christ’s desire for us to see the world with his eyes.  As our foreign exchange student Mario said:  Jesus became real when he saw Jesus with skin on.   Our journey will include the suffering of the world.  When we live by the spirit of God, if anyone transgresses, restore that one in a spirit of gentleness.  Bear one another’s burdens. Don’t grow weary from doing what is right and let us work for the good of the whole family of faith.  It is my belief and hope that we come to know that we are truly to live as a new creation because we are in Christ.