A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 6 – C

June 26, 2016

St. Luke 9:51-62 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Commentary:  Luke’s Gospel is a countdown to Jerusalem.  Jesus, turning his face to Jerusalem turned off the Samaritan crowd.  Why not head toward Bethel?  Little did they know that ‘turning his face toward Jerusalem’ meant a cross?  Others have seemingly legitimate excuses for following Jesus.  Jesus calls his followers to a radical allegiance. 

How will we answer Question 7?

A Samaritan Village Refuses to Receive Jesus

⁵¹ When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. ⁵² And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; ⁵³ but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”^{[a] 55} But he turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶ Then^[b] they went on to another village.

Would-Be Followers of Jesus

⁵⁷ As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” ⁵⁹ To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ But Jesus^[c] said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” ⁶² Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Footnotes:

1. Luke 9:54 Other ancient authorities add as Elijah did
2. Luke 9:56 Other ancient authorities read rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what spirit you are of, ⁵⁶ for the Son of Man has not come to destroy the lives of human beings but to save them.” Then
3. Luke 9:60 Gk he

A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 6 – C

June 26, 2016

Question 7*

1.  Lord, shall we send fire from heaven upon these Samaritans?

2.  Lord, shall I first bury my father?

3.  Lord, can I bid farewell to loved ones and friends?

4.  Lord, if I tithe, 
     shall I tithe my gross income or my taxable income?

5.  Lord, shall I give up chocolate for Lent?

6.  Lord, why did they change the time of the worship service?

7. “Will you come and follow me?”

*Question 7 is a 1961 movie – worth checking out.

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