God Holds a High Bar: Putting Jesus First

Remember Abbott and Costello’s hilarious baseball dialogue full of misunderstandings:  “Who’s on First?”  Perhaps Jesus could have used a bit of humor to soften the blow of his demanding call to discipleship.  BUT…Jesus has “set his face toward Jerusalem” in Luke 9: 51-62 as he begins his journey with unwavering determination toward death by crucifixion.  Time is running short for Jesus to teach and model for his disciples exactly what lies ahead for them – and for us as we more fully commit ourselves to being Christ followers.  So, the context of Jesus’ often confusing, surely shocking responses to three would-be followers is that they’re in a time of urgent transition and turmoil and transformation.  Would this characterize our time today also?  If yes, then we are called to take Jesus’ responses seriously.  We’ve run out of time for excuses.

Following Jesus is not going to be a picnic.  Instead it’ll be more like traveling to El Salvador and living in the rural homes of sisters and brothers with limited comforts to which we Topekans are accustomed.  Jesus accepts no excuses – whether it be tending to family needs or even taking time to say goodby to family – if the excuses are used to prioritize our desires or needs above our commitment to following Jesus.  Going and proclaiming the kingdom of God as Jesus urges does NOT mean we throw our families out, but that we live our lives within the context and demands of living, speaking, and doing according to Jesus' teachings and modeling.  Nothing must get in the way of our “followership.”  Like any school teacher or parent, Jesus has heard all the excuses and rationalizations and procrastinations and he dismisses them.  We do not set the terms of our discipleship.  Jesus does. 

I’m reminded of the bumper sticker:  “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  The question we are called to examine is:  How are our lives different as Christ followers than what they might have been otherwise?  Following Jesus gives us a new identity as a child of God which means we live in communion with all children of God.  May Jesus’ urgency shape our priorities so that all we do is according to the guidance that the Son of God provides, such that “first things first” is our mantra: faithfulness in following means Jesus is in front of us, beside us, behind us, above us, beyond us, and within us in all we say, think, and do.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Shelley