Terry Clees
There are many times in life that we set goals. We focus on
one object, one date, one event, or the one thing that consumes us until we
achieve the prize. Jesus had a similar goal; His goal was Jerusalem where
the culmination of His ministry would take place on the Cross and three days
later an empty tomb. An exclamation point would be added to His ministry when
He ascended to the ultimate prize, glory with the Father in heaven. The remarkable
thing about Jesus and His goal was that although His desire for it was passionate,
He didn’t allow it to give His life tunnel vision. His eyes were on
the prize, but He wanted to take as many as possible with Him to that prize—even
Samaritans.
Jesus’ compassion never ceases to amaze. The Samaritans slap away His
outstretched hand and instead of destroying them like James and John desire,
Jesus simply walks away.
With His eyes still cast towards the prize Jesus continues to
extend the hand of grace. A man enthusiastically calls out to Jesus that he
will follow Christ wherever He goes. It was a common practice for followers
of great teachers to tag along behind the teacher taking notes and observing.
But Jesus isn’t offering an apprenticeship, He is offering life. His
comment to the man isn’t just a warning that they won’t be staying
in plush hotels and eating fine foods, but a warning that hardship and sacrifice
await any who follow Him.
Follow me to the prize, Jesus called out. The man replies with a request that
is seemingly fair and within the Jewish Law. However, Jesus sees right through
the flimsy excuse. If the man’s father is dead than why isn’t
the man attending to the burial procedures? Apparently the father is not dead
and the son wants to wait for his father’s death. Months or even years
could pass before this son would follow Christ.
I will follow, but . . . the “excuse machine” pours
out more and more. Jesus recognizes the procrastination in the man’s
voice and reminds the man the danger of looking back. A man familiar with
that terrain would know when plowing a field one had to always look forward
to avoid rocks and other obstacles the jagged terrain presented. Jesus wants
followers to look forward to the prize, not back at what is left behind.
This text seems to be two distinct stories, “The Samaritan
Opposition” and “The Cost of Following Jesus.” However,
the narrative read as a whole is seamless; Jesus has his face set towards
Jerusalem and all that awaits Him there. He still sees the lost and broken
that surrounds Him on His journey.
He reaches out to those who the disciples perceive as an enemy.
When the Samaritans reject Him Jesus doesn’t see it as an opportunity
lost, but as a great teaching point. He reminds the disciples that their mission
is not one of tearing down, but one of building up. They leave the Samaritans
alone to reflect on their rejection rather than in a smoldering heap as the
disciples had hoped for.
On the road to Jerusalem Luke tells the tale of three encounters
Jesus had with individuals. Throughout these encounters Jesus never takes
His eyes off the prize; He wants to make sure those who join Him understand
what they are getting themselves into. He wants them to understand that there
will be hardship and suffering. He wants them to understand that they have
to leave the spiritually dead behind to walk with the spiritually alive. He
wants them to understand the first priority is proclaiming the kingdom of
God. To get the prize you must look forward to the prize.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
The prize Jesus offered the Samaritans, the three along side
the road, and countless others is the prize Jesus still offers today—eternal
life and glory in heaven. The prize is there for the asking, but just as Jesus
didn’t force it on the Samaritans He will not force it on us. We must
set our faces towards the prize and desire it.
The prize is still the same, but so is the cost. We must be
willing to face all the world throws our way as we walk with Jesus. Some may
face more active persecution than others, but all will face struggles and
hardships along the way. We must also be willing to leave old habits and even
old friends behind as we set our eyes on the goal. We cannot conform any longer
to the patterns of the world, but must set ourselves apart for God’s
service. In that service we must be willing to share the Good News of Jesus
Christ with others.
The prize is the same, the cost is the same, and unfortunately the excuses are also the same. We want to follow Jesus without the commitment and sacrifice it costs. We use examples in the Church as excuses not to commit. We use our families as an excuse not to commit. We use our time as an excuse not to commit. We put it off until tomorrow, yet tomorrow never seems to come. The time to follow and focus on the prize is now.
