June 29 – Sermon
Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we confess that we often try to adjust Jesus’ teachings to fit our life and expectations, when it is our lives that require change and transformation. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us to hear his Word with open hearts and minds, and grant us courage to follow him with greater faith and commitment. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.
Years ago, a lighthouse keeper had to be gone for a month and asked another man to be in charge of the lighthouse situated along a dangerous coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse keeper made it clear to the man taking his place that he had enough oil to keep the light burning every night for one month.
The first few days went by without incident. Then a woman asked for oil so that her children could stay warm. The next day a farmer came because his son needed oil for a lamp so he could read. Another person needed oil for an engine. The person in charge of the lighthouse took each of these requests as important and willingly gave some oil to each one. The oil was used up four days before the month ended.
On the very first night the beacon was dark, three ships crashed on the rocks. More than 100 lives were lost. The lighthouse attendant explained what he had done and why. But the prosecutor replied, “You were given only one task: to keep the light burning. Everything else was secondary. You have no excuse.”
It’s much easier to resist temptation when it’s clearly between good and evil. But it’s much more difficult when temptation is conflict between two good options.
The lighthouse keeper found himself in just such a conflicted situation. So also are the would-be disciples in today’s gospel.
According to our lesson, Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem. In other words, Jesus would not be prevented from fulfilling his Father’s will. He was on his way to Jerusalem, where he would be mocked, beaten, and nailed to a Roman cross to die atoning for our sins. He was determined and never turned back. He was committed to give his life for our redemption.
And while he was on his way to Jerusalem, some people said to him, “I’ll follow you wherever you go.” and Jesus turns to them and says, “You want to follow me? Well here’s the deal, I don’t own a home. Nature provides homes for the animals and birds, but I have nothing and the life I have, I give to God. Are you sure you want to follow me?”
To another, Jesus said, “Follow me.” This person said that he would but asked that he might first go and attend the funeral of his father. After all, one of the commandments tells us to honor our father and mother. But Jesus responded, “Let the dead bury the dead. Follow me. Come and proclaim the kingdom of God. For I too will die and bring new life to the dead.”
Still another person agreed to follow Jesus, on his road to the cross, to become his disciple, but asked if he might at least be allowed to let his family know where he was going, so that they wouldn’t worry. After all, family is important to any responsible person. But to this person Jesus responded, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God,” meaning that to be a disciple of Jesus requires our loyalty, undivided attention and total commitment.
The truth is discipleship is not easy. Jesus is honest. The conflict, in discipleship, is not always between choosing an obvious good over an obvious evil. The conflicts of discipleship are real because they are often conflict between one set of good things and another set of good things.
Jesus does not make the path of discipleship sound easier or less costly than it really is. Jesus was on his way to give his life– totally surrendering to the will of God, that we might, through his death have life; that we might come to realize the forgiveness of our sins and our acceptance as a child of God. To follow Jesus, to become his disciple, means that we accept the road he walked. It means that we surrender our lives submit to the will of God.
Christ’s call to discipleship is not always a picnic. Following Jesus is not always fun. Following Jesus is not always easy. Sometimes the choices he asks us to make are tough.
When we are disciples of Jesus, the world’s goods change from my possessions to gifts from God. Jesus, creator of everything, had nothing to call his own. He didn’t have a place to call home.
Faithfulness to Jesus takes precedence over everything else in our lives—even family loyalties. This statement is not condoning rebelling against authority or rejecting responsibility. It talks about the supremacy of God in our lives.
Jesus calls us to live for others, and the vision that he has given us is of his kingdom. Living in the past, regretting past actions or decisions and wishing things were different are not marks of the abundant life. Jesus invites us to a life of purpose and a life of direction.
Rejection, love, commitment are three forces that run strongly through today’s gospel. They are forces that run powerfully in our lives, too.
Jesus continues to lovingly invite us to a living faith and discipleship that goes beyond merely looking good, bumper stickers, and jewelry. Jesus invites us to a life transforming walk with him, and he patiently waits for us to accept His invitation. In gratitude, set your sights on Him. Seek His kingdom of love and righteousness above all else. Turn from the sinfulness of the world and follow His example and never look back.
When you wake up each day utter these words, “Today Lord, I am Your servant. Wherever You go I will follow. Whatever it takes, I will give honor to You with my life. Amen
