June 27, 2010

So would we not assume that there are also exceptions for us when we become followers of Jesus? Perhaps not many but a few exceptions when we could be excused from complying with the Jesus-Way. Rather like getting a note from Jesus saying; "Yes. In these circumstances you are excused." Yes! Relief! "Thanks Jesus! For a minute there I thought you might tell me there are no exceptions!"
And — for a few seconds longer, let us hang-on to that possibility — perhaps a very slim possibility but just the same ...
As far as I can see is no encouragement at all to deviate at any time from God's Way. We heard the psalmist say: "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." And went on to say: "You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; ..."
We heard Paul describe the two opposing forces within all of us: one force he calls flesh and the other he tells us is the Holy Spirit. We heard his plea not to fall back into old ways, not to let the flesh lead us. When the flesh leads we end up in the worst of life. The other force — God's force — takes to the best of life. What Paul calls "flesh" seem to be a way of naming a force that is in opposition to the Holy Spirit. It may have to do with that inner voice. You know — the one that can come up with the most creative reasons for making an exception to standing firm with Christ. It can so reasonably explain to us why in these circumstances we can make an exception. And so, once again we follow the leading of the flesh. And once again the results are less than desirable. And once again we learn there is only one Way for us!
Paul clearly lays out the pros and cons of standing firm with Jesus Christ. He gives us a long list of why not to go with the desires of the flesh. When the flesh is the force in charge here are the potential end results: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, — and there's more — envy, drunkenness and carousing — and there's still more — Paul ends the list with the words: "and things like these!"
Well! When it's put like that! I think I will stand firm in Christ!

Our gospel reading comes at exceptions in another way. We remember there were three encounters with would-be disciples and three seemingly reasonable, acceptable, understandable exceptions — not for ever but just temporarily. Jesus speaks of nowhere to lay your head — perhaps a way of saying that we cannot ever rest from loving — there are no exceptions to Jesus' command to love one another - not when we're tired, not when we're retired, not when we've had a bad day, not when someone is a jerk (remember the Samaritans who would not receive Jesus?!) And neither can family be an exception not even when there's a death in the family. Not even when it comes to simple family expectations like good-byes! Still no exceptions! No note from Jesus excusing us. One can't help but think that Jesus is being just a little hard-nosed! That may be! However I have learned in my life — and often the hard way — and perhaps you would agree - that when we put God first — when we do not waver from Jesus' commandment of love — everyone benefits. When we love God, neighbor and self — and in this we stand firm — we are better siblings, better parents better grandparents, better co-workers. We are simply better people, happier people, more fulfilled people, and we ultimately experience way better results. Not that we do it perfectly — or even well at times — but I am one hundred percent convinced it is the only way to live regardless of the circumstances. I once watched a father and a teenage daughter in a parking lot. She was shouting very loudly at her father — loud enough for all of us to hear. She was telling him — and the rest of the world — how he was the worst father ever. I watched him as he stood firm in Christ. He was patient and kind and self-controlled. When she screamed, "I hate you", he said, " I understand and I love you."
Exceptions to God's Way as revealed in Jesus — no matter how seemingly appropriate at the time — will never bring about the results we truly want and need, our loved ones need and the whole world needs.
Paul tells us that when we live in the Spirit and let the Spirit guide us the results are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Is there anywhere in the world where these fruits of the Spirit — are not needed — desperately needed? Do we ourselves not long for these fruits in our lives?

When my brother and I were kids we would ride the train from Grande Prairie to Dimsdale — it was an adventure of about 6 kilometers to visit Aunt Jean and Uncle Elwood. My Dad would take us to the train station, buy our tickets and then turn us over to the care of the Conductor. It was the Conductor's responsibility to keep an eye on us and make sure we got off the train where our uncle would be waiting for us. There were always those moments on the train when we felt quite grown-up and we could display a certain degree of confidence. And there were also those moments when we were not so sure of ourselves and the questions would arise: What if the conductor forgot about us? What if he forgot where we were to get off the train and then where would we end up and who would even know us? What if Uncle Elwood wasn't there to meet us? It seems to me these childhood train rides under the care of the Conductor are very much like living in the Spirit and being guided by the Spirit. We Christians have our times of confidence and trust — a sense of adventure and then there are those other times when we have questions and doubts. Is God even paying attention to us? Is the Spirit still within us? Will living in the Spirit work this time?
Back then on those childhood train rides the conductor never once forgot about us. In fact, during those very short train rides he'd stop by a couple of times to check up on us and reassure us. And always our uncle was there to greet us with a hug and then take us across the road to the General Store for candy.

When Luke tells us that Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem and we know that he loved all the way there and beyond and when Paul says stand firm in Christ, live in the Spirit and be guided by the Spirit — we might think of ourselves on a train — the train for learners — the train for followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our conductor which is not such a stretch because one of the Greek words describing the Spirit is " one who conducts." Our destinations: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Do you hear a Voice calling?... " All-Aboard!"