This really truly is a text about “discipleship” and following Jesus…
It is not easy, by-the-way!
Jesus is taking “his show” on the road. He is headed toward Jerusalem.
That means that “a show down” is imminent. It is “all” a matter of time.
But first, he has to get to the Holy City, itself.
Unlike most Jews of his day and his time, Jesus chooses to go from Galilee in the North, through Samaria, Judea and finally to Jerusalem in the South.
Most Jews would avoid Samaria like the plague. But not Jesus… It is an opportunity to teach about the kingdom…and to proclaim God’s Reign.
So, Jesus moves knowing fully what he is doing – traveling into this hated, forbidden territory. But to prepare the way, he sends two of his disciples ahead of him, to make the necessary preparations and arrangements.
He chooses James and John.
I tell you discipleship is not easy. It doesn’t matter if it is day 1 or day 1,095 following Jesus is not always easy.
James and John are not impressed with the people of Samaria. They are not very accommodating. They are not welcoming. They are far from hospitable. They are different. And James and John take immediate offense.
Jesus would not have. Jesus would have understood. But not James and John… They took it as “a personal affront.” Us against Them!
They wanted to torch the entire place. Burn them all and let them fry…
But that was very simply “not the way of Jesus.” How long had they been with him? How many sermons and teachings had they listened to? How many miracles were they a part of? And still they didn’t get it? What more, must Jesus do? What more must he say?
I tell you, discipleship is not easy.
Having put them in their place…they go on to other villages, looking for places that might be receptive or encouraging.
As they go, as they walk, Jesus and his entourage are met by at least “three different individuals.” Each of them requesting to follow Jesus… Each of them, we would imagine, to be a Samaritan!
The first, says he will follow Jesus wherever he goes? What is he expecting? What is he thinking? So, Jesus tells him quite frankly, that he will be homeless and broke as a Senior Citizen at the end of the month.
We assume, the guy leaves…so much for “hopping on “that” bandwagon!”
Discipleship, following Jesus is not always easy.
The next guy, most likely another Samaritan also declares his desire to follow Jesus.
But first, he requests “the time” to go and bury his father.
But Jesus will be long gone tomorrow or the next day. They do not still. They continue on their appointed path. He is on his WAY.
To him Jesus inferred that he should stay where he was and proclaim the kingdom to his friends and neighbors…
Very much like the second – another- would-be-follower wants to come along… But first, he desires to simply “say farewell to his family.”
These would be followers do not have bad intentions. Their hearts were in the right place. But following Jesus is a lot more complicated then it first appears.
Jesus and the boys keep moving. This is not a static movement. There are difficulties with an itinerant ministry. The Jesus movement is not all gravy.
The requests of the men are not unreasonable… After all, Elijah allowed Elisha to bid farewell to his parents.
But Jesus is not Elijah. Jesus is so much MORE than Elijah. More is required of his disciples.
Jesus’ ministry was built on rearranging your priorities. The old priorities are no longer important. There are new priorities. Traditional loyalties go all topsey turvey. You have to let go of the past. Let Go and let God. Trust. Have faith. March on into the future. Do not dwell anywhere except in the present moment of time… God has redefined the things that are important.
You are not defined by who you were…but rather, by who you are becoming… You are a new creature in Christ. Look to the future. Look ahead. Look up!
So three individuals found out (that day) that following Jesus is anything but easy…
Have you figured that out, yet?