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Is it Worth it?
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62
June 27, 2010
By Rev. Mark E. Zender

Father may the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts gathered here this morning be acceptable to you, O’ Lord our Rock and our Redeemer… “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Back in the day when farmers used hand-held plows it required their full concentration. No looking back, look straight ahead in order to ensure the job got done without distractions or complications. It was a difficult task; an important task if something happened to their plow it meant devastation to their livelihood. No crops, no money to pay the required taxes on the land, no food or sustenance for the family. It requires absolute steadfastness, discipline and focus. So… it’s this image that Jesus uses today to describe how his followers must be to be “fit” disciples.

In our story today first we come upon these Samaritans who refuse to offer hospitality to Jesus, to receive him and his disciples it said... Out right reject Jesus because he’s headed towards Jerusalem to a place they choose not to worship at and they want nothing to do with him or his message. There are two more scenes that we just read that paint a picture of rejection too.

Here they are passing through towns and villages spreading the Good News. By this time in his ministry Jesus is very well known. Considered a prophet, renowned teacher. Many folks flock to hear his words, to draw near, to see him. The things he teaches and talks about… many are fascinated by what they’ve heard of this man, his personality, how he carries himself.

In one of these encounters is this man who seems to be deeply moved and excitedly proclaims “I’ll follow you Lord wherever you go!” Now, rather than taking him up on his offer Jesus instead it says looks into his heart and says “foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests but me and my followers have nowhere to lay their heads.” And what I think he’s really saying to this man is; are you really willing to follow me everywhere! Are you willing to give up everything, even the comforts of home or a place to lay your head to follow me? We never hear the man’s answer so I guess we can assume he wasn’t really ready. It must not have been worth it or it was too costly for him to do what he clearly said he wanted to do; “Lord, I’ll follow you wherever you go.” But instead he turns and walks away…

The other encounter is an interesting one as well. It sounds cold Jesus’ reply to this man’s request; “let me bury my father first and then follow.” And Jesus says “let the dead bury the dead.”

All of these sayings today, all of this talk of what it takes to be “fit” for discipleship aren’t meant to frighten us off or make us choose where our loyalties lie. They’re given to us by Jesus I think to help us examine our own choices. To give us an opportunity to see what it is that holds us back prevents us from being a “fit” disciple. These hard sayings are there for us to think about, to meditate on and look honestly, I believe, at those areas, those allegiances, those priorities that keep us from truly following our Lord Day in and day out.

Remember, Jesus this day is on his way to Jerusalem our text says. He’s on his way to bear his cross. We all know what that means… Scripture tells us that we as followers have a cross to bear as well. Along with all the benefits and promises of the Gospel, of following Jesus, as followers and disciples we too must bear a cross just like Christ did, that comes with the commitment. That’s the choice we make, when we choose to follow.

So… We have three different encounters today in our Gospel. The first fellow promises to follow, doesn’t he? But he doesn’t really mean it, does he? His words are shallow; he turns and walks away when he learns he might have to give more than what he gets.

The other two men in our story are little bit different but still pretty much the same. Rather than they coming to Jesus, Jesus puts the proposal to them; “follow me”; he says. And just like the first both of these fellows just as quickly come up with excuses, come up with reasons why following doesn’t fit into their lifestyle, too many other things to take care of first.

Paul, in our reading from Galatians this morning expounds on this even further. He lists all the vices and distractions of the world that take us away from discipleship. “Watch out”, he says. When you choose to walk as a disciple, you choose a narrow way. Don’t let God’s freedom lull you into thinking you can be enslaved to all the worldly desires and temptations and still be a “fit” disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ.

Jesus seems to be telling us today that he expects nothing less than our complete and total allegiance and devotion to Him. Not that we can’t take care of family and commitments and responsibilities and live our lives. Not that we can’t or shouldn’t do all of those other things. He basically says follow me while you do all those things, follow me anyways and all ways. Follow me in ways that make you do those things perhaps in a new way. Follow me, not instead of or either/or, or when I get around to it or after I take care of all these other things first. Follow me first and foremost! Put God’s Kingdom and all that means, first.

That’s what it means to be a fit disciple. In other words it’s not so much about what we’re doing or not doing. It’s rather about who we’re being, a disciple! It’s about putting God first in your life, following Jesus 24/7. Doesn’t mean not doing everything else. It means rather doing everything else with your face set towards Jerusalem, with your heart and mind and soul truly invested in God’s kingdom. Not looking back, staying focused, disciplined, like a farmer putting his hand to his plow…

GOD BLESS & AMEN