Loving God, you challenge us to move out of our comfort zone and to put our trust in you.  Teach us both to listen and to trust by the power of the Holy Spirit, leading us into ever greater faithfulness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    I remember hearing a quote that comes from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.  One of the children asks if Aslan (the lion) is quite safe.  Of course, in the story, Aslan the lion represents Jesus.  And so, when Susan asks if Aslan is safe, Mr. Beaver replies: “Safe?...Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe.  But he’s good.  He’s the King, I tell you.”  This sounds about right for the Jesus that we see in today’s gospel.  For, according to Luke 12, Jesus has come to bring fire to the earth, and that fire is going to cause division.

    At the same time, if we look at the rest of this chapter in Luke, there are a whole host of rather “unsafe” things that are communicated about Jesus and about the kingdom of God.  Jesus says, “Don’t worry about food or clothing, for God knows what you need.  Instead, put God’s kingdom above all else.  ‘Sell your possessions and give alms’ (Lk. 12:33).  It’s the treasure in heaven that you want to have and not earthly wealth.  So don’t worry and don’t be afraid!”  In the kingdom of God there is no playing it safe or building bigger barns to hold everything.  Instead, faithful self-giving is required.

    As well, we find in Luke 12 some of the same things that we heard about in the reading from Hebrews today.  For those who follow Jesus will face persecution and will be dragged before the rulers and authorities and will be asked to give an account of their faith.  Yet, once again, believers are told not to fear those who can only kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.  It would seem that to follow Jesus is most definitely not safe.

    So why would anybody do it?  Why would anybody put their faith in Jesus Christ and follow him when it is quite obviously such an unsafe activity?  Perhaps because, in spite of human opposition, in Jesus we find the power of God and the wisdom of God, as well as life in all its fulness.  In Jesus we are able to have a life-giving relationship with God, which makes all other obstacles infinitely worth it!

    Here in Canada, it seems to be quite easy to become complacent about our faith.  It is highly unlikely that we would be tortured or thrown into prison because we believe in Jesus.  Our churches do not get attacked like they have been in Egypt and other places.  Even giving an offering isn’t a great hardship for most people, for we all get tax receipts and income tax deductions!  I have to wonder how many people here in Canada would still be professing faith in Jesus if we could expect to be actively persecuted because of it.  Would you be coming to worship if you were threatened with bodily harm for doing so?

    Unfortunately, these questions are not theoretical in other places around the world.  In many parts of Asia, people can expect to be disowned by their families, beaten up and thrown into prison for expressing their faith in Jesus.  Undoubtedly this also happens in other countries where it is a dangerous thing to be Christian.  And of course, at the time when the gospel of Luke was being written, persecution was a daily occurrence, and many families had experienced division where some believed in Jesus and others did not.  And so, what does this gospel have to say to us here today?

    Perhaps one question that we need to be asking ourselves is if we have actually encountered the fire that Jesus came to bring.  Have our hearts been touched by the fire of God’s love?  Have we become aware of God’s burning desire for justice and righteousness on the earth (cf. Isa. 5:7)?  Have we stood in the fire in the presence of God and repented of all that is amiss in our lives in the face of God’s unbelievable forgiveness and grace?

    These are important questions to ask, for life can never be the same once we have encountered the presence of Almighty God through Jesus Christ.  In fact, this is why some of those divisions within families happen that are mentioned in today’s gospel.  In any family where some members believe in Jesus and others don’t, there is always going to be a certain amount of conflict.  There will be differing values and priorities, and sometimes church and family will be in direct competition with one another.  Those who believe in Jesus might have to ask themselves quite regularly, “What comes first: my faith or my family?”

    At the same time, we are asked to think today about what “signs” we pay attention to.  Some of the signs that are mentioned in today’s gospel have to do with the weather: a great topic of conversation, right?  We’re always watching for signs of what’s coming next.  If there’s a south wind, it’s probably going to be hot.  If there are a bunch of dark clouds in the west, it’s probably going to rain.  This was even more true in first century Palestine than it is here.

    However, Jesus seems to be pointing out that there are things that are far more important than the weather.  Do we notice the power of God at work when it is right there in front of us?  Do we notice what God has been doing lately – whether in our own lives or in the community around us? (And yes, the poster is still there!)  Do we watch for signs that show us in which direction God might be leading us?  And – are we able to have conversations with one another about what God has been doing in our lives just as readily as we talk about the weather?

    All of these are questions that are raised by today’s gospel, which asks us to count the cost when we consider putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  Yet, at the same time we are asked to consider the incredible value of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord.  For Jesus not only allows us to have a life-giving relationship with God, but also walks with us in the midst of whatever stress or pain or persecution or suffering we might be experiencing.

    Twice in today’s readings we are reminded of the cross.  The reading from Hebrews reminds us that Jesus endured not only the cross but the shame associated with it for the sake of the joy and the salvation that would follow (Heb. 12:2).  In our gospel, too, Jesus speaks of his impending “baptism by fire.”  He is on his way to Jerusalem, and he knows what suffering awaits him there.  Luke even uses the word “stress” to describe how Jesus is feeling about these impending events.  Jesus knows that the cross awaits him, and he’s feeling under stress until the whole thing is completed (Lk. 12:50)!  Who can blame him, really?  And yet, Jesus knows that he needs to offer himself for the love of the world.

    In this is the good news.  For this is the depth of God’s love for us and the intensity of God’s desire for reconciliation with sinful humanity.  And, just as it was most certainly not safe for Jesus to be here on this earth, we do not expect to be safe when we follow him, either.  For we will be challenged to engage in faithful self-giving rather than anxious self-preservation, to be generous rather than greedy, and to be ready to forgive rather than vengeful.  In all this, ultimately we are in God’s hands, who is gracious and merciful and abounding in steadfast love, and that is the best place to be.  Amen.

Lectionary 20(C)                            Luke 12:49-56
August 18, 2013                            Hebrews 11:29 - 12:2
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison
© 2013 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved