Follow me. The challenge is to you and to me: Will I follow Jesus as my Lord? These are not only ancient words written two thousand years ago, but the Living Word, and a call for each of us today. Am I willing to willing to give up everything in order to follow Jesus, to be a Christian? And this is not just the tangible things like family, possessions and things, am I willing to give up everything?
So often we answer “yes, of course!” But I think it’s easy to say “yes” when I’m nice and comfortable in church on Sunday morning. Am I willing to give up my self-centeredness? Am I willing to give up gossip? Am I willing to give up revenge even when others hurt me? Am I willing to dedicate my life to the poor, even if they fail to show gratefulness for my work? Am I willing to have Love as the standard by which all relationships, decisions and choices are based? Now, Jesus always accepts us just as we are, but He invites us to follow Him now, in the present moment, not just when we “think” we are ready.
As the gospel opens today, Luke points out that Jesus is about to begin his “longest journey,” to go to Jerusalem for his passion. Luke has Jesus constantly on journeys, right from the moment of his conception. All the time, Luke is preparing his readers for the GREAT JOURNEY which begins in today’s gospel.
This journey starts in chapter nine, and continues until chapter nineteen. It occupies fully a third of Luke’s gospel, because it is a journey that each one of us must take, if we are serious about being a disciple of Jesus. And do not worry about how to take this journey, Jesus will be teaching us for the next ten chapters! Luke’s gospel will teach us to be disciples, if, we begin with the “yes” to Jesus words, “Follow me.”
In Luke, the words “retreat” or “defeat” will never be mentioned. At all costs, we must keep on the journey. Even if we stumble and fall, like Jesus, we are called to stand up and move forward once again. Perhaps we call this “holy determination:” the conscious choice to be a disciple in all areas of our lives, at all times. This is the determination of Elisha to follow the prophet Elijah. This is the determination of Jesus, as he sets out to Jerusalem. Everything from this point on takes it’s meaning from the passion, death and resurrection.
In Jerusalem Jesus will reveal the whole purpose of his life: to show that Love is the ultimate power—even power over death.
Luke shows us how Jesus began his life with signs and miracles in Galilee. The he lets go of all of this as starts to Jerusalem. This is the profound paradox that is the heart of Christianity: Jesus freely gives up his power of signs and miracles…even as his loving makes him more and more vulnerable and seems to lead to his defeat. But this love for others, releases the power of God—a power that conquers death and surpasses all of the power, healing and miracles in Galilee. This is why Jesus refuses James and John to “call down fire from heaven.” From this point forward, the only power of Jesus, is the overwhelming power of love.
But now we return to the beginning: “Follow me.” Before you answer, we have the words of Jesus to three would-be followers.
To the first, Jesus says, “before you follow me, count the cost.” No one can ever say that Jesus calls disciples on false pretenses. He left no doubt or question about the cost of being his disciple.
To the second, the words sounds harsh, but in all probability, the man’s father was not dead or even dying, he was just wavering on his decision. Jesus urges us to act at once when our hearts are stirred.
His words to the third person state a truth no one can deny. There are many whose hearts are always in the past, “the way things used to be.” The Christian must always be on the journey forward. To this last person Jesus did not say “follow” or “return.” He just made it clear that either you follow him with your whole heart…or don’t begin the journey, and left the man to make his own decision.
Now, what about you? Today you hear the words of Jesus, “Follow me.” Are you willing to give up your past? Are you willing to change your life so that Love is the center of all you do? Are you willing to travel with Jesus, to Jerusalem, where seemingly powerless Love, will ultimately conquer loveless power?
Jesus says, “Follow me.” Respond carefully.
So often we answer “yes, of course!” But I think it’s easy to say “yes” when I’m nice and comfortable in church on Sunday morning. Am I willing to give up my self-centeredness? Am I willing to give up gossip? Am I willing to give up revenge even when others hurt me? Am I willing to dedicate my life to the poor, even if they fail to show gratefulness for my work? Am I willing to have Love as the standard by which all relationships, decisions and choices are based? Now, Jesus always accepts us just as we are, but He invites us to follow Him now, in the present moment, not just when we “think” we are ready.
As the gospel opens today, Luke points out that Jesus is about to begin his “longest journey,” to go to Jerusalem for his passion. Luke has Jesus constantly on journeys, right from the moment of his conception. All the time, Luke is preparing his readers for the GREAT JOURNEY which begins in today’s gospel.
This journey starts in chapter nine, and continues until chapter nineteen. It occupies fully a third of Luke’s gospel, because it is a journey that each one of us must take, if we are serious about being a disciple of Jesus. And do not worry about how to take this journey, Jesus will be teaching us for the next ten chapters! Luke’s gospel will teach us to be disciples, if, we begin with the “yes” to Jesus words, “Follow me.”
In Luke, the words “retreat” or “defeat” will never be mentioned. At all costs, we must keep on the journey. Even if we stumble and fall, like Jesus, we are called to stand up and move forward once again. Perhaps we call this “holy determination:” the conscious choice to be a disciple in all areas of our lives, at all times. This is the determination of Elisha to follow the prophet Elijah. This is the determination of Jesus, as he sets out to Jerusalem. Everything from this point on takes it’s meaning from the passion, death and resurrection.
In Jerusalem Jesus will reveal the whole purpose of his life: to show that Love is the ultimate power—even power over death.
Luke shows us how Jesus began his life with signs and miracles in Galilee. The he lets go of all of this as starts to Jerusalem. This is the profound paradox that is the heart of Christianity: Jesus freely gives up his power of signs and miracles…even as his loving makes him more and more vulnerable and seems to lead to his defeat. But this love for others, releases the power of God—a power that conquers death and surpasses all of the power, healing and miracles in Galilee. This is why Jesus refuses James and John to “call down fire from heaven.” From this point forward, the only power of Jesus, is the overwhelming power of love.
But now we return to the beginning: “Follow me.” Before you answer, we have the words of Jesus to three would-be followers.
To the first, Jesus says, “before you follow me, count the cost.” No one can ever say that Jesus calls disciples on false pretenses. He left no doubt or question about the cost of being his disciple.
To the second, the words sounds harsh, but in all probability, the man’s father was not dead or even dying, he was just wavering on his decision. Jesus urges us to act at once when our hearts are stirred.
His words to the third person state a truth no one can deny. There are many whose hearts are always in the past, “the way things used to be.” The Christian must always be on the journey forward. To this last person Jesus did not say “follow” or “return.” He just made it clear that either you follow him with your whole heart…or don’t begin the journey, and left the man to make his own decision.
Now, what about you? Today you hear the words of Jesus, “Follow me.” Are you willing to give up your past? Are you willing to change your life so that Love is the center of all you do? Are you willing to travel with Jesus, to Jerusalem, where seemingly powerless Love, will ultimately conquer loveless power?
Jesus says, “Follow me.” Respond carefully.
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