What kind of disciples of Jesus are we? What were his disciples like?
They said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them... To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home."
Discipleship is hard.
The ones who were following Jesus wanted to commit violence against those who rejected their message. Jesus would have none of that, love all of our neighbors, even the ones we disagree with, the ones who ignore us, nor accept us…
Others had things to do first – then they would join. But Jesus wants them to seek the Kingdom first not last in their priorities…
It is not the easy road but following Jesus isn’t really about following a set of rules save for the Golden Rule & the Love Commandment.
It is about living out our faith daily – so that our lives reflect the faith and values we say we believe in.
A pastor had a meeting with a young man feeling conflicted about the decisions confronting him. The pastor wrote this: "He felt pretty clear about the sort of material success he was after, but uncertain about everything else. So I asked him what he thought he was committed to. What path did he think he was on? Could he describe it? He warned me that he wasn't going after some sappy religious angle. Sappy or not, I countered that everyone has a religion. Everyone functions from a grand operating principle whether or not they admit it. Mostly that principle can be inferred by the wake they leave behind as they pass through their lives. The tangible content of our commitments tells the tale for all of us, notwithstanding what we say. I suggested he check out the wake he was currently leaving behind, or if he was brave, ask a couple of others what they saw there. Did he want to hear the evidence of what his wake revealed?" (Simple Truths: Our Values, Civility, and Our Common Good by the Rev. Stephen Bauman)
What is our wake as disciples? Is it the values of our culture: wealth, power, & prestige. Or is it the values that Jesus challenges us to have when we follow him. For as one author put it:
“Jesus' Gospel is not a collection of pious words we commit to memory; it is a spirit-centered attitude and perspective to which we commit our lives. We cannot be disciples by being mere spectators of God's presence; authentic discipleship calls us to become involved in the hard work of making the reign of God a reality.” (Jay Cormier)
Is our world view the view that Jesus has? Do we hear his cry through the noise and din?
Twelve-year Lawi lived with his family in a small African village. One day Lawi was taking care of his little brother while their parents worked in the sugar cane fields. Lawi was sitting in front of their hut while the baby slept inside.
Suddenly, the thatched hut was instantly enveloped in flames. Lawi immediately ran inside, only to find the baby trapped under a fallen rafter. While the flames closed in, Lawi struggled to move the burning timber. He was finally able to grab the infant and dash outside — just as the hut caved in.
By this time neighbors and villagers had gathered outside the remains of the hit. Once both boys were safe, they asked: “Lawi, that was a very brave thing you did. Weren’t you afraid? What were you thinking when you ran in the burning hut?”
Lawi replied simply. “I wasn’t thinking anything. I just heard my little brother crying.”
[story from Rev. James Moore.]
In today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem & he will not be deterred. Despite being spurned by the Samaritans and by those who want to follow him “but, first . . . ”or “after I take care of . . . , ” Jesus makes clear the demand of true discipleship requires the singular focus and commitment of Lawi, who hears his brother’s cries and responds despite the fire surrounding him.
That is the mark of following Jesus: to place compassion, forgiveness and justice before our own agendas and interests, of hearing the voice of God in the “cries” of our vulnerable and broken brothers and sisters, of making sure the wake we leave behind is one of faithfulness.
Or to put it another way, following Jesus is giving up our desire to control…
“So what if the deepest calling of a Christian disciple isn't to be in control – ourselves or vicariously through God – but rather to give up the illusion, to take some risks, and to throw ourselves into this turbulent life and world God loves so much trusting that God will join us in the adventure, hold onto us through all the ups and downs, and brings us in time to the other side." (David Lose)
May God lead us even as we don’t know where our lives will go. May God guide us along the way in love and peace, so that we may learn not to call down fire from heaven, nor let our excuses derail our faith and our journey, but living fully into our faith so that the wake we leave behind is beautiful to all whom we encounter. Amen.
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