Loving God, you call us to come and follow and you also ask us to count the cost. Help us to experience in our hearts the depth of your love for us, and teach us how to live as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

There are some days when I think that we in the church have lost all concept of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. We show up for worship every so often - when it's convenient. We toss into the offering plate less than what we might spend to go out and see a movie. We leave reading the Bible to the "experts" because it's just too hard for us to understand. We pray only when we're in trouble, and we avoid sharing anything serious or spiritual with fellow church members. And as for serving others? - Well, we're either just too tired or too busy.

No wonder Christians from Africa and from other continents around the world wonder if we really serve the same Lord! After all, following Jesus changes lives! Take, for example, the long list of "works of the flesh" from today's second reading which are contrasted so obviously with the fruit of the Spirit

(Gal. 5:17-25). In a black and white world we would say: "Here are the things that belong to life before Jesus, and here are the things that belong to life with Jesus." Is somebody being sexually unfaithful? Is somebody full of hatred or jealousy or envy? Is somebody worshipping false gods or indulging in sexual sins or practising witchcraft? Is somebody acting out of anger or selfishness or causing divisions among people? Such a person is not acting as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

In a black and white world, such people would simply be condemned. However, in a world where we are simultaneously saint and sinner, such people are called to repentance and to place themselves under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Even disciples fall into sin, but no disciple of Jesus would willfully or intentionally do these things. Instead, a disciple of Jesus would welcome God's gift of grace in the Holy Spirit, and that same Spirit would produce fruits that are in direct contrast to some of the behaviour that was just mentioned.

Is somebody gentle and loving? Is somebody full of peace and joy? Is somebody generous and faithful and patient? Is somebody full of kindness and self-control? Such a person is a disciple of Jesus Christ and is living by the Spirit. And so, I ask once again, "Do we really know what it means to follow Jesus Christ?"

The people in today's gospel thought they knew what it meant. The first person truly believed that he was willing to follow Jesus wherever he would go (Lk. 9:57-58). However, Jesus counsels him to think it through. First of all, did he know that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to be crucified? Did he really want to follow Jesus there? At the same time, did he realize that Jesus had no worldly place to call home and would not end up with worldly power and authority? Those who follow need to know Jesus very well!

As for the second person, he wanted to look after his family obligations first, and then he would follow Jesus (Lk. 9:59-60). As it turns out, what he is proposing is right and good. He would have been following the commandment to honour his father. Yet, the call of Jesus to come and follow is both more important and more immediate even than following the commandments!

The third person wants to go and say good-bye to his family before he follows Jesus (Lk. 9:61-62). These are his self-imposed conditions on his response to Jesus. This is really not an unreasonable request. Yet, Jesus' response makes it clear that even people as important as family can hold us back and prevent us from following Jesus as disciples. Sometimes we might even have to choose Jesus over our families. Is the kingdom of God worth it? Following Jesus changes lives!

Michael Foss, in his book, Power Surge, presents what he calls the six marks of discipleship. In other words, he is saying, "Are you a disciple of Jesus? Well, here are the things that will show it!" Number one: Pray daily. Number two: Attend worship weekly (either in your own congregation or at another church). Number three: Read the Bible regularly. Number four: Offer service in and beyond the congregation. Number five: Form spiritual friendships in order to hold each other accountable for living a disciplined life. And number six: Give generously of time and talent and resources. (Source: Stoffregen - http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/luke9x51.htm ) These are the marks of discipleship - the outward signs of a heart that belongs to Jesus.

Now, a few observations related to these six marks of discipleship: First of all, if somebody is doing all of these things but no fruit of the Spirit is evident, this is called "going through the motions." As Paul so eloquently points out in his letters, without love, we are nothing (1 Cor. 13). Secondly, I wonder how many people in this congregation would be offended by these things. How many people would respond, "Nobody's going to tell me to give generously. Nobody's going to tell me that I have to be at worship every week!" Are we here to be members, or to be disciples? Thirdly, this is not a list of rules. These are simply spiritual disciplines which naturally go along with faith in Jesus Christ. I ask once again, "Do we really know what it means to follow Jesus Christ?"

Even James and John didn't seem to know, and they were already disciples (Lk. 9:51-55)! They thought that Jesus would do things just like Elijah did. After all, Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume those who rejected God (2 Ki. 1). Shouldn't they get to do the same and consume those who reject Jesus? But James and John had already forgotten what Jesus had taught. If people reject you or reject the message about Jesus, shake the dust off your feet and go on to the next town (Lk. 9:5).

No - the way of Christ is a different way - a way of love - a way of being that changes lives. Those who seek to follow Jesus will want to know what they are getting themselves into! There will be no place for things like jealousy and adultery and selfish desires and hatred. These things will need to be replaced by the power of the Holy Spirit, and things like love and generosity and gentleness will appear in their place. There will be no place for "I can believe just fine on my own, thank-you very much, and I'll just do it my way." Following Jesus is undertaken as part of a community in Christ, for we neither learn nor grow all by ourselves.

Finally, if we're going to follow Jesus, we really do need to ask ourselves if it is worth it. Is it worth it to have peace with God through Jesus Christ? Is it worth it to give our hearts to the one who loves us so much that he would live among us and suffer and die for our sake? Is it worth it to have a Spirit that is just like rivers of living water flowing from our hearts? Is it worth it to receive God's forgiveness and mercy? Is it worth it to receive eternal life? Is it worth it to live in the presence of the one who created us and redeemed us and has made us holy? Is it worth it for us to place our lives under the direction of the One who has power over all things and gives us life in all its fulness?

If it is, indeed, worth it, then let us love and serve one another, even as we continue to learn and to grow as disciples of Christ. Amen.

Lectionary 13(C) Luke 9:51-62

July 1, 2007 Galatians 5:1,13-25

St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

? 2007 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved