Together...Through Him With Him and In Him

What do you think was the greater gift that Jesus gave to his disciples: the power to heal and cast out demons, or the power to work together and rely on the hospitality of others? 

I suppose it’s only natural that when we read our Gospel, (Luke 10:1-12,17-20), our attention immediately focuses on those things that are beyond our immediate experience. Not many of us can relate to healing and casting out evil spirits. So when I read this familiar passage two things stand out. First, the disciples go out in teams. And, second, they are instructed to take nothing with them, and asked to rely entirely upon the hospitality and generosity of others.

And so Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs so that they might support each other in their journey. Needless to say, they will encounter resistance, disappointment and from time to time, failure. So, when one is weak, the other is strong; when one is lost, the other helps find the way. That’s what we do isn’t it? We hold on to each other, console each other, encourage and embolden each other, and even believe for each other.

Our culture tends to reward the rugged individual and supports the concept that we must look out for “number one.” It’s all up to you. Yet, Jesus message is clear, we find success only with, through and for each other.  

In addition, Jesus instructs his disciples to travel “light” with only the clothes on their backs and to actively seek the help of others for food and shelter. Speaking personally, this abject dependence on others would make me uncomfortable. I for one, go to great lengths to be prepared for whatever I’m about to undertake and while I enjoy and am comfortable working with team members whose values and aspirations I share, being “unprepared” and being dependent would  make me feel very vulnerable. 

And that’s Jesus’ point. We as individuals are vulnerable, although we go to great lengths to manufacture and perpetuate illusions of control, independence, and invulnerability. But any illness, any loss, any death or disappointment or tragedy reminds us of just how incredibly vulnerable we are. 

And so Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs and instructs them to rely entirely upon the hospitality of others. Why? Because this is our natural state: we are stronger when we stay together and our welfare is inextricably linked to that of each other. “No man is an island” wrote John Donne. The loss of any, he went on to say, diminishes each. 

I wonder how this might play out on this upcoming Fourth of July weekend. In the United States, we sometimes see this day as a tribute not just to our independence from Great Britain but also to the spirit of American individualism. Yet the individualism we celebrate is as much a myth of our culture as is our invulnerability. To that end I believe that of all the gifts Jesus gives his disciples, the greater may just be that of teamwork and trusting obedience. Because when we work together and when we recall that God said it is not good for us to be alone and when we see our hope and welfare as inextricably linked to that of those around us, then we not only accomplish so much more than we possibly could alone. Through each other we work through Him, with Him and in Him. (Adapted from David Lose, Working Preacher, 2013)

You’re Not Wanted Here

The music stopped; my chair was gone, and I was faced with having to leave a job and career to which I was totally committed and loved for over 30 years. A corporate reorganization resulted in my position and group being eliminated and “absorbed.” No, they said “I wasn’t being fired; your performance was exemplary; it’s just that your position would no longer exist.” “Well,” I asked, “if that’s the case how come I couldn’t do this or that?”

… Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.

To which the response was: “No, sorry, those options are not in the plans.” So, now I had to leave a place where I was no longer wanted (Luke 9:51-62). How was that possible?  I had to uproot my family and an established lifestyle, leave my friends behind and go to a place where I was wanted…but just not here, anymore. Hurt, anger and a futile urge to “strike back” were emotions that ruled my life for a long time.

Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?

Little did I know at the time that this pain and anguish would lead to new opportunities, personal growth and personal transformation that would not have been possible had I remained anchored in that comfortable place. Little did I know that what seemed like an interminably difficult period of loss and “exile” protected me from the peril and upheaval awaiting those whom I left behind. Little did I know then that in the long run, it was all for the best… and all part of a plan.

Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God

But, who do You say that I am

If we didn’t know better and this were the first time we were reading Luke’s account in his gospel, Luke 9:18-24 they had been paying attention to what’s been going on as they followed Jesus. When Jesus asks "Who do you say that I am," a question they should have readily been able to answer, they were really answering for the crowds of followers. After all these are his close “friends.” As such, their answers were all over the lot: some said John the Baptist, others Elijah and still others, one of the prophets. Now, this is after they have seen him feed thousands; cure the sick; raise the dead, and cast out demons. Needless to say he’s provided enough clues as to who he really is. But Jesus wanted to know who they say he is. Finally Peter gets it and comes up with the right answer, and proclaims “The Christ of God.”  It was important for the disciples as it is for us to know that Jesus is the Messiah.  

In essence, believing is an intellectual exercise; faith is an intuitive sense of knowing and trusting that “something” exists. It transcends the intellect.  We don’t believe in air or water; we know they exist. Defining “faith” requires words. Words are a human intellectual construct. Faith is a God-given spiritual reality that defies language’s ability to define. 

It was important for the disciples to commit themselves to Jesus and give their allegiance to him. He was about to undertake a journey that would destroy him, but would inevitably lead to glory. They had to decide whether they would accept the fear of personally identifying with Jesus 

Jesus Christ is real to us here and now, but it is not enough to say we believe that he exists. We are called to give our allegiance to Jesus, and assent to committing ourselves to him…through him… with him…and in him.

 

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Luke 9:18-24

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

I had been asked by my employer to relocate to the company’s home office located in a small Midwest City. After a period of time we adjusted to the move. In fact, we in retrospect, thrived and grew during that 15 year experience. We quickly learned that many of those with whom I worked and became friendly were, like us, “ex pats” living away from “home.” Over time some of these business associates became our very close friends. More often than not these friendships were forged over a period of time through a series of wonderful dinners. These were great ways to get to know people outside of work. Of course, this was also a time during which our ambition to propel our careers was very important and that these dinner parties became a favorite venue for me and those “special” guests to get to know one another better. 

I can remember a particular time when we struggled with a guest list. The person of honor and our close friends had accepted our invitation and while we agonized over inviting one of our dear friends, who was known to get a little obnoxious as the night progressed, we were hard pressed not to ignore him. So, he was invited as he, no doubt, would have expected. The evening arrived, the table was set, the settings were placed, the wine was poured and the menu was well in hand… and true to form, my dear friend in no time, hijacked the conversation and while several of us made attempts to wrestle it back, it was futile. Everyone knew what had happened. They, including our honored guest, were aware and sympathetic to our plight.

Later when the guests had left and we were alone, I tried to make excuses for my poor friend who, like the woman who interrupted Simon’s dinner party with Jesus, was out of placed and defied convention by interrupting the party and behaving in a disreputable way especially toward the honored guest. 

Wasn’t I just like Simon in Luke 7:36-8:3  My honored guest was not there out of true friendship but was there because he might be able to help me. I chose to invite my obnoxious friend, not because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but because I didn’t want to suffer the consequences. Now, I’m not suggesting that we should have tolerated poor manners and bad behavior, since my friend clearly was out of line; I am saying that compassion for one another is not always easy. Sometimes, defying convention requires compassion rooted in deep feelings for each other and not according to our plan and agenda. Compassion requires that we don’t use people and don’t let our friends engaging in risky behavior continue to hurt themselves. Compassion means that we don’t hide behind false “nobility” and rationalize our own behavior to suit our own agenda. Jesus praised Simon’s unwanted guest who took a risk and defied convention.