Sixth Sunday in Pentecost (Series C)
June 26th, 2016
Gospel: Luke 9:51-62
Epistle: Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Lesson: 1 Kings 19:9b-21
Psalm: Psalm 16
CLB Commentary – Rev. Omar Gjerness
Jesus and his followers are traveling through Samaria. Usually the Samaritans were somewhat open to Jesus and His ministry, but this time He and His followers were met with hostility. The reason is given, “He was headed for Jerusalem.” To the Samaritans the place for worship was Gerizim. And this time He was followed not only by the apostles, but with other worshippers. So they responded by locking him out of the town. No food. No lodging. “Get out of town.”
It is no surprise that the “sons of Thunder” wanted to call down fire to destroy the opponents, like Elijah. They had just seen Elijah on the mount of transfiguration and seen him honored, so “call down fire.” It’s a natural reaction. How many times have we thought that if we were God we would remove some great transgressor? Jesus is saying that we should expect enmity from the world, not acceptance. And He tells us “take up your cross and follow me.”
During World War II, a German pastor named Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a book entitled ‘The Cost of Discipleship,” which would be a good topic for a sermon on this text.
Bonhoeffer lamented the fact that many Christians have a nominal Christianity, where it has not affected their life style. He was involved in a plot to bomb Hitler, which went bad. He had a moral struggle between “Thou shalt not kill” and to let Hitler live would cost the lives of thousands. In the end, he was executed for his involvement in the plot against Hitler.
The motivation for martyrdom is the example of Jesus. He who lived on the throne of eternity did not even have a “place to lay his head.” He was being denied a resting place on the very earth He had created.
This might be an opportunity to speak of the many Christians in various parts of the world who are now being persecuted or killed for their faith. This is the “final cost” of martyrdom.
The “cross” is also not to be understood as a price we pay for acceptance. Jesus paid the full cost of redemption. This is a gift of love and it is being Christ-like.
The submission to persecution does not mean there is no ultimate judgment. Mankind will stand before the judgment throne. Leave judgment to God and the government.
There has been a national call for prayer that many Muslims should turn to Christ. Pray not that they should be destroyed, but that they should be converted.
One of the disciples said “let me bury my father” and Jesus told him “let the dead bury the dead.” In other words, our heavenly pursuits should come before any earthly concerns.
The Lord Bless your ministries.