Luke 9:51-62
Jesus Rebukes the Disciples
TEXT:
Luke 9:51-62
(NRSV)
51-56 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to prepare for his arrival, but they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
57-62 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” And Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
REFLECTIONS:
The world likes to operate according to the rules of the Scapegoat game. You know... Us vs. Them, Right vs. Left, Insiders vs. Outsiders... And the rules say the game only ends when the "They" are eliminated and those left standing are announced as the winners.
But Jesus knows the game is a trick. Eliminating the enemy doesn't actually end the game. It just initiates an eternal "next round."
Jesus is inviting his followers to imagine an alternative game: one that ends when we realize there really is no enemy to dominate. There's only ever been Us. But for those who choose to live according to this way of life, there are some things we should be prepared for:
1. We likely will feel out of place in this world, and never quite "at home."
2. It will ask us to create a counter-culture based on life, rather than death.
3. Once we say yes to this alternative, there's no going back. Priorities, world-views, relationship dynamics... we're not going to be able to help seeing all of life in a new light.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application Do something helpful for a co-worker that they don't expect and that your job doesn't require.
Pathways Toward Centeredness Does anyone in your life need some encouragement? Open your phone and send them a text that you are thinking about them!
Questions for Consideration Where do you feel most at home in the world? What helps you remain calm when you'd rather call down fire upon someone?