God's Will

This is the time of year that most of us take vacations or plan getaways. There are high gas prices and inflation everywhere you go, but sometimes a little vacation is still needed. Maybe all you can afford is a short getaway or a road trip, but even still, we make the most of it. Sometimes, vacations may not go as planned, particularly the drive to your destination.

I remember one time when I was going with my dad and step-mom to South Carolina to visit family. We were headed down the interstate when my dad suddenly said, “Why did everyone slow down?” Then the blue lights flashed behind me as sat in the back seat. Dad was mad, but we did not let that ruin our time. The hotel may be dirty, sometimes you have to use the gas station bathroom to your disgust, your flight gets delayed, and you may run into a traffic jam when you are trying to get to a place by a certain time. But should any of that ruin your vacation or road trip? Of course not! Because the potential of fun, relaxation, and joyful memories are still very much a part of the trip! Sometimes, we just have to keep heading towards the destination in spite of all that is trying to stand in our way.

Pray and Read 9:51-62

Let us go verse by verse here:

In verse 51, Jesus being the divine Son of God knew that His time on Earth was very short. It was prophesied that He die in Jerusalem. He knew what was going to happen there. Even still, He starts to head right into harm’s way. He knows that when He enters Jerusalem, it is a death sentence. So why does He go? Because it is the will of His Father. That is how He knows what is going to happen, because it is supposed to happen. When we say that life is not promised to be easy, this is why. God does not will harm for us, but this world does. Sometimes we have to head towards danger so that it can be overcome. Our testimony is filled with things that we have overcame by the grace and mercy of God.

So in verse 52, it doesn’t say that Jesus sent his disciples, but messengers. So, I think that they could be like the 72 disciples that Jesus sent out two by two. Remember that story? They were sent out two by two into various villages and towns. If the people accepted them and let them stay, they were to minister to them and tell them the Good News. If they were rejected, then they were to leave immediately and dust their sandals off on the way out of town.

Verse 53 makes me a little upset. The people of Samaria rejected a visit from Jesus. This is upsetting because I love the story of the Samarian women, known as the Woman at the Well. Her life was transformed by the grace of Christ and she went and told everyone, and they believed in Jesus! Jesus also references them in a positive light in some of His parables. But even still, someone at least in this village rejected Him.

John and James in verse 54 remind me of some redneck brothers. We all know the type. Surely some of us have had that friend that got defensive when someone said something bad about you? Maybe you have a protective father or sibling. Maybe your mom is a bona-fide “Mama Bear.”

Jesus has to hold them back in the next couple of verses and tell them that is it okay, they will just have to go another way.

In verse 57, someone says, “I will follow you everywhere Jesus!” We may say that and mean it. But do we always understand what that entails? Are we truly prepared to follow Jesus everywhere? Right here, Jesus is walking towards His death! God’s will isn’t always rainbows and cupcakes! God’s will can be dangerous. Sometimes you may have to do things that you particularly don’t like doing.

Jesus tells them in verse 58, that he doesn’t even have a place to rest. Sometimes there isn’t time to take a breathe and sometimes there isn’t a place to stop when we are walking with Jesus. Following Jesus is not safe! Sometimes, you just have to follow God without knowing each and every step that you are going to take. Just step with Jesus one step at a time, or as I tell people, “One day at a time.”

Jesus tells someone else, “Follow Me” in verse 59. This person many times is criticized for their response to Jesus, but what if we were in their shoes? Think about it, this person likely just lost their father. Besides the obvious grief that they are experiencing, they are likely having to also settle some affairs. If you have ever lost a close loved one, you know that it is not an easy time. On top of the grief, there is a lot of work that has to be taken care of after someone’s passing.

I don’t think that Jesus is mad at the person at all with His response. Jesus is saying, “yes, go, but death is not your end. There is more for you to do.” This is what we all need to understand here. The dead are dead and they cannot be any more dead. You are not dead, you have more life to live and you have a purpose to achieve. Taking care of your family and taking care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally are important and they are a priority. But God’s will is still number one priority, working alongside of how you are to take care of yourself and your responsibilities. Go, but preach that death is being overcome by victory. We know that Jesus was set to die, but something much greater was to happen after His death. His death was necessary but was not the end! It may seem that our plan, even when we know that it is God’s will may seem to be coming to a disastrous end. But we need to keep going, because God’s plan never fails.

In verse 61 another person states that they want to go back home and say goodbye before they follow God. But this is not acceptable! But what about my responsibilities? What happen to my wellbeing and their wellbeing being important? Again, we need to list our priorities, and understand that our relationship with God is number one. That is the only priority that will last for all eternity. In verse 62, Jesus says that anyone starts to follow but then gets uncomfortable or homesick and wants to go back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. Like the Israelites who wanted to go back into the arms of their slaveholders in Egypt on the way to the land that God had promised them. Why would they want that?

Let me be honest with you church. Things will never be like they once were. Just because it worked 10 years ago, doesn’t mean it will work now. Sometimes, new ideas and new ways of doing something will actually work better if you try it. When you see someone doing a small task around the church and they are doing well, why would you stop them and say “Or, that is nice but that's not the way we do it? What or who does that benefit? What if you just left it alone and let someone else do the ministry task for a change. What is the worst that could happen? What is the worst that can happen if we change our schedule, or change our name? What is really important here? The only thing we need to worry about with any decision made or with any thing we do is, “Does this have a positive impact for God’s kingdom and does this help us share the love and grace of Christ? If the answer is “yes”, then it is most likely to be in God’s will.

God's will can set us on a path that is high risk. Sometimes we have to take a detour, sometimes we have to pause to take care of something, but we are never to forget the mission. God will never call us to go backwards. We cannot go backwards, but only forwards. How can you help us move forward? Maybe you feel called to do something? Maybe, you are called to step to the side and just move alongside all of us. However, we are moving forward. Let us all say that we will serve, not our own will, but serve God, through the gifts and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.