Proper 8

Proper 8 - Series C

June 30, 2019

Luke 9:51-63 

Commitment to Christ Requires total Surrender

Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we might love and serve our neighbor.

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the word of the LORD came to him and stood him on the mount before the LORD.” (1 Kings 19:9b, 11) The Lord made Himself known to the prophet Elijah — not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and not in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12). 

Today, God reveals Himself to us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him -to make preparations for Him.” (Luke 9:52).

Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And they do not look back. (Luke 9:60, 62) 

What they preach. Is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery,” but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)

We are now at a turning point in Luke's gospel. Now, Jesus knows the end is near. He sets His sights resolutely toward Jerusalem. The cross is now His focus. It’s happened - The time has come for Him to be taken up to heaven. But first, the cross.

Jesus said, "Anyone who does not follow in this way Εὔθετός [1]  is not appropriate or fit or properly suited for the reign of God.”  Yes! To be sure. These are strong words.

Commitment to Christ Requires total Surrender

Today we meet three would-be disciples. Each encounters Jesus.  

1. The first volunteered, says, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  He sounds like the ideal candidate.  But Jesus seems to be aware that he doesn’t fully know what “I will follow you wherever you go” means.  It means, “Not having a place to lay your head,” like Jesus.  

It would appear that he had some kind of expectation of a payoff for following Jesus, and Jesus rather bluntly confronts him with the truth that his expectation is unrealistic at best. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

2. The second would-be disciple is one whom Jesus invited to follow Him. But he asked Jesus to first be allowed to bury his father.  It would seem to be a reasonable request.  The obligation to see to the proper burial of parents is part of fulfilling the commandment to “honor your father and mother.”  

Yet Jesus responded in a way that seems quite harsh.  He said, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Jesus said, “Seek first God’s Kingdom.” The resolve to follow Jesus outweighs all other priorities.  “I will follow you…” the man said. “So long as I am not inconvenienced.”

3. The third would-be disciple also volunteered to follow Jesus. But asked permission to first go and say farewell to his family.  This seems to be a reasonable request.  Even Elijah allowed Elisha to say good-bye to his parents when he chose him to be his disciple while he was plowing his field. (1 Kings 19:19-21)  But Jesus will have nothing of the sort. Echoing the incident with Elisha, he says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Plowing for the kingdom means sacrifice. It can tolerate no distractions.”  

It is clear that this man, too, does not really know what he thinks he has chosen. It is certainly not the following of Jesus. This is commanded unconditionally, and therefore it cannot be entered upon except unconditionally. The man was quick to put limitations on his commitment. I will follow. So long as my creature comforts are not compromised. I will follow. But don’t make this discipleship too difficult!   

Transition: What seems clear is that all three would-be disciples decided not to follow Jesus. 

4. The message of this unusual story is that following Jesus means the Kingdom of God takes priority over everything else in your life. Following Jesus means giving yourself away without thought of reward or recognition.  

It means serving the purposes of compassion, justice, peace, and freedom simply because it’s the right thing to do, not for any payoff. 

The imitation of Christ in His life of service and suffering is not an optional version of the Christian identity.  It is the very essence of Christian identity.  And to all who approach the task looking for a reward, or a payoff, or recognition, Jesus warns them to do themselves a favor and not start something that is going to result in the kind of disillusionment and even bitterness. 

Christ never asks for admirers, worshippers, or adherents.  No, He calls disciples.  It is not adherents of a teaching but followers of a life Christ is looking for.

We need a total focus. Jesus will take second seat to no one. The radical demands of discipleship require that every potential disciple consider the cost, give Jesus the highest priority in one’s life, and, having committed oneself to discipleship, move ahead without looking back.

Where are your priorities when it comes to being a disciple of Christ? John the Baptist’ words still ring true, “I must decrease, He must increase.”

[1] This is the only occurrence for this word, “well-placed, ready for use.” Usage: suitable, fit, useful

Image: Luther's Seal ©  Higher Things

Words –965

Passive Sentences –7% 

Readability – 71.5%

Reading Level – 6.4