Luke 9: 51-end

Introduction

I wonder how you feel about travelling. Some people love to travel and find their feet get restless if they stop too long in one place. Others much prefer to stay where we know what’s what and who’s who, resting within what is often called today, our “comfort zone” – a place of comfort and security.

This seems so relevant to me – aware that this will be the last time I enjoy sharing an 8am Communion Service with you; aware that in 3 weeks Val & I will be moving into our 5th new home in 16 years of marriage, and my 11th move in 47 years!

In Jesus’ time most Jews from Galilee would have travelled little, with one exception. They would hope to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, some 3-4 days walk, and usually timed so they could celebrate the Passover at their destination. As they travelled they would remember the story of their ancestors’ deliverance from Egypt and other stories from the OT remembering God’s dealings with Israel.

Now, with our reading from the end of Luke chapter 9 we find Jesus set to make his “Exodus” journey which will lead him to become the Passover Lamb sacrificed for all humanity.  For Luke the idea of travelling in obedience to God’s call is a central theme. Jesus doesn’t co-incidentally find himself heading for Jerusalem; it is a deliberate and conscious act. The GNB “he made up his mind” doesn’t quite capture the original language which says means “he set his face towards Jerusalem”. Clearly this is meant to convey a total and clear commitment to this purpose.

The Samaritan Village

Such is Jesus’ determination that he takes his followers on the direct route, travelling through Samaria. You may remember that the Jews and the Samaritans hated each other. The basic issue between them was religious. The Jews of course believed the purest place to worship God was at the temple in Jerusalem; the Samaritans believed the correct place was Mount Gerizim in Samaria. Hundreds of years earlier they had built their own temple here, it had been destroyed by a Jewish king some hundred years or so before Jesus’ time.  I guess if you recalled the relationships between ardent Catholics and fanatical Protestants at the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland and you get the kind of relationship we’re talking about. So strong was the feeling that really devout Jews would make a considerable detour rather than travel across Samaria.

But Jesus, his face set towards Jerusalem, takes the direct route. Jesus sends out messengers to prepare his way, possibly with Malachi 3 in mind. In Malachi 3.1 God sends messengers so that when he arrives to bring  judgement and salvation, the people will be ready. Hardly surprisingly the Samaritan village refuses Jesus hospitality – after all not only is he a Jew but he is also travelling to Jerusalem – at the heart of the dispute between Jews and Samaritans. James and John are incensed, and recalling how Elijah dealt with opposition (2 Kings 1.10-12), want to call down fire from heaven to destroy the village. Instead of commending their zeal, Jesus rebukes them. He knows that a time for judgement will come but not yet, for now is the time for God’s grace to be seen. The Kingdom of God, founded on love, is being established.

The Would-be Followers

We then hear about some of those who would seek to follow Jesus. One promises to follow Jesus whether he goes. Jesus’ response is to effectively say “be careful what you wish for”. To follow Jesus will mean following  one who will not rest from doing God’s will.  Another wants first to bury his father – this was considered by many one of the highest duties to fulfil. Jesus’ response seems harsh but we need to understand his response is to make an emphasis – everything is secondary to following Jesus and proclaiming the Kingdom. The last person is reminded of the need to keep a forward looking focus. Using the plough of Jesus’ time required you to look ahead to a fixed point to keep the furrow straight. Looking back , over one’s shoulder, would produce a furrow that was not straight. Again Jesus is emphasising the need for total commitment.

Jesus call to us

At the start of our reading Luke says “As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken into heaven...” clearly seeing Jesus’ physical journey as being part of a deeper journey – to the cross, resurrection, and ultimately Jesus’ ascension.  Those who would follow Jesus must be prepared to show the same determination to undertake a  spiritual journey across their own lives.

For Jesus to be obedient to God, He had to both know God's will, and also be willing to choose
God's will over every other thing. If we are unsure of God's will, then we need to seek Him until
we are clear. If we know God's will and are unwilling to yield to it, we need to wrestle with
our flesh until it is subjected to God's plan.

The is the story of the Vicar who decided to have a “No Excuse Sunday” – he wanted to make sure that those who came had no excuse not to come to church. So he provided:

beds in the church for those who like to sleep in, blankets for those who find the building too cold
fans for those who find the building too warm, sand for those who prefer the beach, televisions sets for per persons who prefer services on the screen, Poinsettias and lilies for those accustomed to entering the church only on Christmas and Easter, stop watches for those who want to go in exactly an hour and a whistle to stop the service, putting greens for those who enjoy golf, masks to hid the faces of those who have been gone for so long they are embarrassed or feel funny coming back,
money for those who don’t want a financial commitment but feel funny not putting anything in the offering plate, meals to carry out, and ....exercise bikes. You get the message – we all put things in the way of following Jesus and it takes determination not to be put off-track.

Often the way we react is the biggest barrier. Like James and John, we need to learn not to react but to choose to live lives of grace. For surely our hurt and troubled feelings shall pop up, and surely they will demand attention! We need to learn obedience. We can learn from Jesus. He felt the need to be often in prayer with His Father. While others retired to their homes and their families, He retired to pray on the mountain. He spent time sharing with his Father, being open to being shaped by him. It is here that relationship with and trust in God is built. There is no shortcut.

We must set our face like flint to do the will of God. It is worth the battle, and worth the tears, for
surely it will bring us one day to the end of our journey, when we will rest, and rest in the full presence of God’s light and love forever.