Loving God, you promise us abundant life through Jesus and call us to come and follow him.  Teach us to keep our eyes on Jesus, and to follow where he leads, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            This week, we are invited to think about what it means to follow Jesus.  As we consider this question, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem.  Already, he has told his disciples what awaits him there:  He will suffer, and he will be put to death, and on the third day, he will be raised from the dead (Lk. 9:22).  However, as often happens, the disciples don’t understand what he is talking about.

         Today, then, we encounter a number of people who also (generally speaking) don’t understand what following Jesus is all about.  There are the people who simply refuse to receive Jesus.  There are the disciples who think that fire from heaven is an appropriate response to those who refuse to receive Jesus.  There’s the person who thinks that they are ready to follow Jesus – but they may not have counted the cost.  There’s another person who wants to defer following Jesus to a later time.  And then there’s the one who wants to go and ask his family’s permission first.  So, where do you find yourself today, in the midst of all of these possible responses to Jesus?

         Are you already a follower of Jesus, or are you still trying to make up your mind?  Are you happy to leave everything behind in order to follow Jesus, or are there things that are getting in your way?  Have you discovered that it is worth it to follow Jesus?  After all, we are warned that following Jesus will not be easy!

         Sometimes, we will need to lay aside our pre-conceived ideas in order to be open to Jesus.  Sometimes, we will need to lay aside any desire for power and privilege in order to follow Jesus.  Sometimes, we will need to lay aside family obligations or cultural expectations in order to follow Jesus.  And sometimes, we might even disappoint our families by following Jesus.  And so, follow Jesus, absolutely – but make sure you know what you are getting into!

         One of the most striking images in today’s gospel comes at the very end.  Jesus says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62).  Of course, anybody who has actually used a plow would know immediately what Jesus is getting at.  You can’t plow a straight furrow if you’re looking back while you’re doing it.  And with crooked furrows you will be wasting seed and wasting space in your field, and just generally making a mess of things.  But not “fit for the kingdom of God”? – Wow!  That sounds serious!

         The context, of course, is wanting to follow Jesus, but also wanting to go back to your family.  While it doesn’t sound unreasonable to us to want to say farewell to your family, there is far more that is implied in Middle Eastern culture (Crossways).  This person would not simply be saying farewell, but would be asking his family’s permission to go with Jesus – permission that would be highly unlikely.  And so, in theory, he would like to follow Jesus, but his family is more important to him.

         For us, too, we might ask what would keep us looking back while we are half-heartedly following Jesus.  Certainly, there are a whole host of things that might compete for our attention – everything from our families to the quest for earthly treasure to the desire that things would just stay the same and stop changing already!  I also have this image in my head of having one hand on the plow while looking back at the “good old days.”  Whatever it is that might keep us looking back, it makes us unfit for work in God’s kingdom.

         As harsh as this might seem, there are very good reasons why we need to be looking ahead and not behind.  For one thing, that’s where Jesus is – out ahead, leading the way. How can we possibly follow Jesus if we’re not even looking at him?  At the same time, it is Jesus who will show us what it really means to follow him.

         Following Jesus involves humility and service to others rather than pursuit of power and privilege.  Following Jesus means that some might reject us, but we just shake the dust off our feet and move on.  Following Jesus means that we will be challenged in our assumptions and will have our priorities re-arranged based on God’s priorities.  At the same time, however, following Jesus means rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and experiencing life in all its fulness.

         And so – yes – there will be times when following Jesus is hard and challenging.  There will be times when we are distracted, and find it hard to focus on Jesus.  However, the one who calls us to follow is faithful and loving, leading us ever further into the life and ministry that God intends for us – and ultimately, leading us into eternal life.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Lectionary 13C                                 Luke 9:51-62

June 26, 2022

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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