06292022 – Luke 9. 51-62
Our Gospel text is about “resistance” and at the very same time, it is about “excuses.”
We know something about both. Something tells me there is a little “resistance” in all of us, and a whole lot of “excuses” in there…as well.
We stand in opposition and “resist” a great deal in this life. We dig in our heels. We complain, we moan, we groan…Sometimes we outright “refuse…”
There are some things we just can’t or won’t accept. We can have an aversion to practically anything.
When it comes to excuses, we’ve said them all. And if not, we have probably heard them all. We can justify anything. We can defend everything and nothing. We can make a case for – practically everything, (if we feel the urgency.) And we can try to get out of anything if the moment does not appeal to us.
It is too hot. It is snowing. It is raining.
It is too cold. It is cloudy. The sun is too hot. The wind is too strong.
I am too young. I am too old.
I don’t feel well. I am late for something else. I am out of town.
Let someone else do it.
I’ve never done it that way before.
My feet hurt. My back is out. My arm is swollen. I have a toothache.
Some people contribute nothing, let them carry some of the weight around here.
I’m too tired. I’m too fat.
We have “this” activity….this weekend.
We have “that” activity, tomorrow all day.
We stayed up too late last night.
We will be gone that week.
We are moving.
My uncle Frank died.
The dog ate my homework.
Sadly, we are not alone in any of this…
People have always made excuses.
People have always been – resistant to all kinds of things…
As a matter of fact, for a lot of us, our first inclination is to say, “No!”
Then, we think about it for awhile, mull it over in our heads, and then change our minds…and “may” say “yes,” or say nothing at all. Preferring to do nothing.
We are something, I tell you…all of us.
Human nature! Go Figure!
So, in today’s Gospel text from Luke. Jesus has just set his face, like flint, for Jerusalem. He know’s where he’s headed.
He know’s where he’s going.
He will not be deterred.
His mind is made up.
It is Jerusalem “or bust.”
He knows what he has to do.
Then strangely enough, he and disciples go by way of Samaria. That “no man’s land” that no self-respecting Jew would ever set foot in. Talk about ritual defilement! Samaria will do, just that! Just by stepping on that soil, you will be made unclean. And yet, Jesus seems to be going there. It is a short cut. It saves time. It saves steps. It is the quickest route.
But the Samaritans are resistant.
They do not want Jesus there.
They refuse to offer him or his disciples any kind of hospitality whatsoever. Go away, get out of here, scram, you and your kind are not wanted here! You Jews are not wanted here…
And the disciples have a rather strange reaction to this resistance. Especially in light of the fact that they have been resisting the things that Jesus has been saying and teaching and sometimes even doing all along.
They themselves have resisted much of what he had been suggesting. They have called all kinds of things into question.
And yet, James and John want to call fire down – on those who would be resistant. Interesting!
Then, we are told about a whole series of excuses. Excuses made to Jesus, and even, directly to his face!
Excuses being something we know a great deal about…
People want to follow Jesus but…
People want to go with him but…
People want to be his disciples but…
Resistance and excuses are nothing new.
Oh the resistance we have met over the years…
Oh, the excuses I have heard in my time…and you, as well, no doubt…
I want to help but…
I would have been in church this past week but…
I want to give more but…You know I wanted to help out with that…but…
The lists are endless…and seemingly go on forever.
When it comes to resistance and excuses we reign supreme.
The word “but”…is used to link items which are of the same grammatical type.
The word “but” is a transitional word.
The word “but” is a linking word.
“But” can be used to connect ideas that contrast.
Then I found out the word “but” can be a conjunction, a preposition, an adverb or it can also be used as a noun in some sentences.
My all time favorite explanation of the word “but” is this…everything after “but” is just b.s.
Go ahead and listen for it, it may just give you cause to smile. Amen.