FORWARD!
a sermon based on Luke 9:51-62
by Rev. Rick Thompson

     Way back when I was a young pastor, I learned something from a veteran pastor and friend.  I learned to be honest when reading Scripture.  When we would be together in our pastors’ study group, and a text like this was read, Bill would inevitably comment, “I wish Jesus hadn’t said that!”

     This is one of those texts, isn’t it.  One of those texts that stirs up some discomfort in us, even some resistance.  Not one, not even twice, but three times, Jesus responds to would-be followers with hard and harsh sayings. 

     When you hear them, do you want to respond like my friend Bill?  “I wish Jesus hadn’t said that!” 

     But Jesus did say that.  He said those things because he wants us to be aware of something:  being his disciple could cost us.  And he said those things because the message he brings, and the mission he carries out, are not just business as usual.  There’s an urgency about it all.  There’s urgency for Jesus, and there’s urgency demanded of those who want to follow him.

     Jesus is moving forward!  Jesus is moving forward with intention and conviction.  He’s on his way to Jersualem, after all.  Just before this story, he has told his disciples that he is going to Jerusalem, and why he is going to Jerusalem: to be rejected and betrayed, to suffer, to be killed, and then to rise from the dead.

     It’s an urgent mission, and twice in our story we read that Jesus set his face—he set his face for Jerusalem.  Even though he knew that his destiny included a violent death, he was determined.  His face was like flint, unmovable, focused, resolute.  Jesus was going to Jerusalem—for the sake of the world, for your sake and mine.  He was going to Jerusalem, and NOTHING could stop him!

     This is the Jesus who expects much, demands much from those who would follow him.  The one who’s beginning a journey that leads to suffering and death—this is the one who warns that we must count the potential cost of discipleship.

     And what might those costs be?

     Those who want to follow Jesus must be willing to give up the way of revenge and live, rather, the way of Jesus—the way of forgiveness and mercy.  Did you notice that in the story?  When Jesus set his course for Jerusalem, they passed through Samaritan territory.  The Jews and Samaritans, you may remember, were bitter enemies.  So, when Jesus comes to their village and they realize he’s on his way to Jerusalem, they refuse to provide hospitality to Jesus and his followers.  And what did James and John—the Sons of Thunder—do?  Well, they suggested to Jesus that they call on God to consume the village with fire from heaven.  Elijah had done that to his enemies long before—and Jesus, after all, had been doing some things that reminded them of Elijah.  “No!” Jesus retorts.  That’s not how I operate!  If you want to be my follower, you can’t be into revenge.  Instead, you must be like me in treating others with forgiveness and mercy.  Are we willing to forsake vengeance and embrace forgiveness as a way of life?  That’s what Jesus demands!

     Those who want to follow Jesus must be willing to be vulnerable.  In that day, this meant depending on others for hospitality, for food and lodging whenever they entered an unfamiliar town.  They had to be willing to give up control over their own lives—give control up to God, and entrust their well-being to others.  Is that something we’re willing to do?  Are we willing to let God take charge of our lives?  Are we willing to admit that we have needs that we can’t take care of ourselves, that we need others, need their strength and encouragement and support and prayers as we journey with Jesus?  Can we take the risk of being dependent and vulnerable?  That’s what Jesus demands!

     And those who want to follow Jesus must be absolutely loyal to him.  The example in our story is an extreme one that troubles us.  A man is invited to follow Jesus, asks first if he might go bury his father, and is told, “Let the dead bury the dead.”  Ouch!  That one hurts, doesn’t it!  Is Jesus really being that cold and cruel?  Or is he, possibly, exaggerating to make a point—the point that this matter of discipleship is urgent, that there is no time to waste, that Jesus is to be first in our lives?  Not only above those things that are evil and bad for us, but even above those things, like family and work and recreation, that we consider valuable and good!  Are we willing to put Jesus in first place in our lives?  That’s what he demands!

     And those who want to follow Jesus must keep going forward without looking back!  A farmer who looks behind him instead of ahead will not be able to plow a straight furrow.  Likewise, a disciple who keeps wanting to live in the past will not be able to move forward into the future God has in store.  Dr. Warren Wiersbe said it like this: “The past is a rudder to guide us, not an anchor to weigh us down.”  Are we willing to live by that wisdom, even when we’re not quite sure where God is leading us?  That’s scary, isn’t it!  But that’s what Jesus demands—that we keep on, just like him, keep on moving forward!

     Yes, Jesus demands much.  And I have to agree with Pastor Brian Stoffregen—at least, it’s true of me—who writes, “Frankly, none of us is going to make the cut to follow Jesus.”  Isn’t it true that we don’t have the will or the power of the faith to follow Jesus absolutely?  Don’t we waver and fail?

     Jesus demands much—doesn’t he—and we’re not sure we’re up to the task.

     Jesus demands much.

     But Jesus gives all!

     Remember—when he teaches these things, he’s on his way to Jerusalem.  As we continue reading from Luke in the coming months, it will seem like that journey takes a long time.  Sometimes the action gets bogged down.  Sometimes Jesus will tell long stories and the reader will forget he has a destination in mind.  But Luke keeps reminding us—eight times in this 10-chapter journey narrative—that Jesus is indeed on his way to Jerusalem.  He has, after all, set his face to go there.  And he will get there.  And when he does, there will be tension and chaos and death—including death for Jesus—but, in the end, there will be life!  There will be life for Jesus, and forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation for those who follow him!

     Yes, Jesus is moving forward.  To Jerusalem.  With a purpose.  With determination.  And no one can deter him.  No one can deter him from carrying out his intended mission.  No one—not even death, we will find out!—can stop Jesus from accomplishing the forgiveness of sins—your sins and mine—and the salvation of all creation!

     That’s quite a mission!  And Jesus keeps moving forward!

     This is the one who demands so much of us.  This is the one who invites us to follow him—not out of spite and malice, but because we’re caught up in something astounding.  We’re caught up in this life and forgiveness Jesus offers and gives.  We’re caught up in the mission of Jesus, and the urgency of it all, and we want to—don’t we?—we want to keep going forward with Jesus!

     There is some urgency about all this, isn’t there?  Isn’t the world crying out for peace and wholeness?  Aren’t many, many people floundering to find a joyful and hopeful pathway through life?  And hasn’t Jesus empowered and sent us, now, to live and proclaim that, in Jesus, God offers exactly what the world so desperately needs?

     So we move forward. For almost 59 years now, I’ve been striving to go forward with Jesus.  For the last 33 of those years, I’ve been on that journey as an ordained pastor in God’s church.  It’s been a journey of fits and starts and wrong turns.  How about yours?  It’s been a journey with ups and downs.  How about yours?  There have been times of intense joy—and times of intense pain.  How about yours?  But, if you were to ask me today, “Would you do it again?  Would you still choose to be a disciple of Jesus?”   I’d respond with an exuberant and unqualified “Yes!

     And how about you?  Would that be your answer also?

     As you think about that, as we consider what it takes to move forward as followers of Jesus, permit me to share a few of the lessons I’ve learned along the way, lessons that relate to the story we’ve read and considered today:

·        I’ve learned—and this wasn’t so clear to me 33 years ago—that if the church wants to move forward with Jesus, the church can’t be a club that exists for itself, but must be a mission outpost that exists for the sake of the world.

·        I’ve learned that it’s not my role to please everybody—and that’s been a hard lesson for one whose inclination is to try to please people.  And I’ve learned that, even when I try, I can’t please everybody—so I’m better off trying to please God!

·        I’ve learned that I can love my family more, not less, when Jesus is in his rightful place—first place—in my life!

·        And I’ve learned that Jesus does, indeed, demand much—and gives all!

So, as I go forward with Jesus, I hope I can keep those lessons in mind.

     I hope that I’ll keep moving forward—forward with Christ, forward in faith, forward in the company of God’s beloved Church, forward in joyful anticipation of the final home God has promised to me and you and all of God’s people.

     And what about you?  Do you want to keep going forward, too—forward with Jesus?  Forward with the one who demands much—and gives all?!

                                                                                                            AMEN