Galatians 5:1,
13-25; Luke 9 51
This is the year of
reading Luke. Bit by bit this summer we are reading the stories that are unique
to Luke, meaning these stories are not included in Matthew, Mark, or John’s
gospels. So far, the stories we have read have been the development of Jesus’
ministry, what he means to accomplish – a radical reversal of the way things
are: thrones toppled, poor people valued, worship with the heart, not just the
mouth.
His teaching up to this
moment has centered in the Galilee, in the north of the region we call Israel.
I believe he lived in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee and made day trips or
overnight trips with the disciples to the towns in the region, returning
frequently to his home.
From this point on, Luke
tells us, Jesus leaves Galilee and “sets his face toward Jerusalem.” He heads to the
end of the story with a single-minded determination he wants his followers to
emulate.
There were several ways
to get from the Galilee to Jerusalem. One road went east across the Jordan
River and into what is now called Jordan, then west as they neared the Dead
Sea. Or, they traveled along the west bank of the Jordan River.
The shortest route was
south through Samaritan territory. You may remember that Jews and Samaritans
came from the same Israelite ancestors, but they quarreled over several key
religious issues: Mount Gerazim or Mount Zion, five or twenty-four books in the
Bible, Levites or rabbis in charge of interpreting scripture. They were not on good speaking terms, and many
Jews chose to avoid Samaria and take the longer eastern route between Jerusalem
and the Galilee. But, Jesus chooses to travel
straight through Samaria.
Along the way, many
people want to join Jesus. But, by this time, Jesus is only accepting those who
are as single-minded as he is. Do they understand that there is no time for
rest, or goodbyes, and or burying the dead? No rest, no goodbyes, that we can
understand.
But, wait a minute! No
time for burying the dead? When every society on earth makes a big to-do about burying
their dead? I have two thoughts about this instruction. One, Jesus could mean
that burial rituals are less important than walking right that minute with God.
Two, Jesus could know that the man’s father was ill, but not yet dead. How long
would he have to wait before he could follow Jesus? A few days, a month, a
year?
When Jesus calls us to
follow him, he will wait for us, for decades if necessary. But this was when
Jesus was walking on earth as a human, and he knew his time was growing shorter
and shorter. There literally was not much time left to walk with Jesus.
Now, of course, and for
the last two thousand years, it is not possible to physically walk with Jesus.
His body is gone, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended. He walks with us now
through the Holy Spirit. When we live with the Spirit, we walk in the presence
of God.
Our second reading from
Paul’s letter to the Galatians explains in clear words how we are to walk in
the presence of God. He writes: Let go of personal interest and pay attention
to the leading of the Spirit. Do not be led astray by the human desires of
loose living, jealousy, factions, and strife. Instead, live by the fruit of the
Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control.
One story about walking
in the presence of God. And yes, I know I am being an idealist, and bad stuff
could happen. But bad stuff is happening anyway.
In the 1990s, Melina was
four years old, and she fled the war in Bosnia along with her family. She left
behind lots of family, too. Her family of refugees was allowed to settle in a
decrepit building in St Louis, Missouri. There were seven people, one bedroom,
and one bathroom. Melina had to learn a new language, a new way of living, and
she began to embrace the American culture with a poster of Britney Spears on
the wall.
It turns out the influx
of refugees into this part of St Louis was good for them and for the city
itself. New stores, bakeries, coffee shops, heating and cooling companies, and
so much more brought new life to St Louis.
Melina is now in
university, and comments, “I will never forget the tolerance, warmth, and love
that brought us to America.” The people of St Louis walked with God in opening
their city to refugees and has been blessed by God by the people they welcomed.
Today, we ask ourselves
if we feel safe letting refugees from Syria into our country. We are letting
fear govern our lives. We are letting the human desires Paul mentions rule us. We
are not trusting God, we are not walking in the presence of God, letting the
Spirit guide our ways.
If, instead, we are
guided by the Spirit of Jesus, we are walking in the presence of God. We are
trusting the Spirit of God to be kind and generous and offer a place of peace
for families desperately in need of some generosity and kindness and some
peace.
Imagine when you are
literally walking around the block or through a parking lot that Jesus is
present. Imagine when you are sharing beers at the VFW that Jesus is sharing in
your conversation. Imagine that Jesus is at your hospital bedside as you wait
for test results.
Think about your life
and remember the times when Jesus was walking beside you, when you were walking
in the presence of God without even being aware of God’s presence. Let those
memories guide you to new ways to walk in the presence of God.
Please pray with me:
Jesus, you walk beside us daily, hourly. Teach us to be aware of you, to be
guided by you, and to not put off having a relationship with you, today, this
morning, this minute. Lead us to share your presence with those we meet all
day. Amen
