Lectionary 13C/ Proper 8

Luke 9:51-62

At the beginning of today’s gospel, Luke tells us that Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem, determined that he will go there, but first he will stop in Samaria.

You may remember that Samaria was where Gentiles, or non-Jews, live. Unlike the Jews who worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, the Samaritans worship at a temple on Mount Gerizim (Gərizim). And in fact, in John’s gospel, the Evangelist tells us Samaritans “shared nothing in common with Jews.” (John 4)

So we shouldn’t be surprised that when Jesus sends his messengers ahead of him, the Samaritans reject his visit. Maybe there was another innkeeper who declared there was no room or the local merchants locked their doors and shuttered their windows, but it was clear that Jesus wasn’t welcome there.

A few verses earlier in this chapter, Luke told us that Jesus sent his disciples out “to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (v. 2), and, when he sent them out, he instructed them to shake the dust off their feet if they were not welcomed. (v. 5)

Luke doesn’t give us any time markers in this chapter so we don’t know how many days or weeks or months had passed since that sending, but James and John clearly have forgotten his instructions, and they become defensive and angry and ask Jesus if they should command fire to come down and consume the Samaritans.

While we don’t hear the exact words he says or the tone of his voice, Luke tells us that Jesus rebukes them. After all, he has already told his disciples to expect his suffering, rejection and death. (Luke 9:22) The One whom the angel foretold would “guide our feet in the way of peace” (Luke 1:79) isn’t bringing destruction or hellfire upon those who do not share his beliefs.

Instead he does what he told his disciples to do: he shakes the dust from his feet and goes on to the next village, galvanized toward Jerusalem. But that’s the last we see of a compassionate or merciful Jesus in this passage. It’s the last we see of the Jesus we meet as children or when we are hurting. And I’d guess that many of us find his next words hard to hear.

Because the next three conversations he has are with “would-be” disciples whom he meets on the way. Two volunteer to follow Jesus, while another one responds to his command.

In his first encounter, someone says, “I will follow you wherever you go.” The person’s sweeping grand gesture elicits a reminder from Jesus that becoming his disciple doesn’t provide any guarantee of the creature comforts of a home or a bed. And we know, on this side of Golgotha, that following Jesus “wherever he goes” means the cross. The call to discipleship is costly.

The next conversation we hear is when Jesus commands someone else, “Follow me.” And the “would-be” disciple replies, “Yes, Lord, but first” let me bury my father. (9:59) It isn’t like he asked for something trivial or selfish; he asked to be allowed to fulfill the commandment to “honor father and mother.” It’s entirely possible if he was the eldest son that he would have had responsibilities to his mother and perhaps to his siblings. But the call to discipleship is unyielding.

The final conversation in today’s gospel happens when a third person says he, too, will follow Jesus, but first he wants to say goodbye to his household. Remember Jesus’ words when he said, "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it and whoever loses his life shall preserve it.”? (Luke 17:33, NAS) Brusquely, Jesus tells the man that no one who “looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (9:62) The call to discipleship is disruptive.

Discipleship demands that we reorder our lives and priorities to follow Jesus. The text brings us face-to-face with Jesus, and compels us to ask ourselves, “What do we say when we hear Jesus call, “Follow me.”?

When Jesus says “Follow me, and love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) We say, “Yes, Lord, but first” let’s show them we have the strength and power to destroy them.

When Jesus says “Follow me, and give to everyone who begs from you;” (Luke 6:30) we say, “Yes, Lord, but first” let’s make sure they won’t make fools of us.

And, when Jesus says, “Follow me, and be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36) we say “Yes, Lord, but first” let’s make sure they can be useful to us.

Is it any wonder Jesus is terse with the “would-be” disciples?
Our answer must be “Yes, Lord.” without any of the conditions or excuses.

Remember Martin Luther’s definition of sin? It is being “curved in on ourselves.” In our human condition we will always look first to our own abilities and priorities and protect our own egos and comfort, placing our needs before others.

But on the cross, Jesus sacrifices himself – emptying himself – to redeem us. He forgives our sin and promises we will be with Him in the kingdom of God – a kingdom that is now but not yet.

Confident in God’s promises and of God’s presence with us, we live here and now. As his disciples, Jesus calls us to humble servanthood, invites us into a new covenant relationship with God; and asks us to look and see all that God is doing in and through His people. May our “yes” be yes. (James 5:12)

Let us pray…
Holy God,
We give you thanks for Your Son Jesus who shows us the Way to abundant life full of love, generosity and mercy;
Forgive us when we put ourselves ahead of others, even when we think we have good reasons or mean well;
By Your Holy Spirit, set our faces to Your Son that we will follow Him with obedience, discipline and commitment.
Amen.