“Looking Forward” – Luke 9:51-62 – July 1, 2007

This time of year many people, and especially families, are experiencing a bit of culture shock. It is a time of transition as children graduate from high school or college and re-locate to other places. It’s also a popular season for young adults to get married. That also means change and it can be painful. I know a young man who just graduated from the Merchant Marine. He will now be a tug boat captain in Charleston, South Carolina, over a thousand miles from home.

One of the most difficult experiences for families is separation. It requires adjustments, both physically and emotionally. I talked with a family whose youngest daughter moved to Columbus to attend college. On the way home her mother and sister cried the entire journey.

Here we are confronted by Jesus, the most compassionate and caring individual in history and he is telling his disciples to leave home. His words are strong and even appear insensitive. Why wouldn’t Jesus want us to attend a loved one’s funeral? The words, “Let the dead bury the dead” seem cruel. Why would he say taking the time to say goodbye to one’s family is inappropriate?

These sayings have puzzled me for decades. Usually I talk about the power of the “call to ministry” and how we cannot be effective in ministry unless we are willing to break our ties with the past. On other occasions I have talked about our willingness to make sacrifices for our faith. Even harder to understand is that Jesus seemed to be saying that family loyalties are not as important as the kingdom of God.

We have to remember that Jesus is looking for disciples, people willing to follow him and pattern their lives after his example. One way to look at the text would be to identify several principles of discipleship. (1) First, if one is to follow Jesus they need to know the cost. In this case Jesus describes his nomadic life. He has no home, no place to call his own. “The son of man has no where to lay his head.” (2) Secondly, he could have been talking about priorities. Discipleship is more important than taking the time to “bury the dead.” (3) Third, one can only grow when they are able to spread their wings, or in other words, move away from home and “not look back.”

I believe however that Jesus was describing boundaries when it comes to our faith. The first boundary was about the use of force. James and John wanted to destroy the Samaritan village with fire. “But he turned and rebuked them.” Followers of Jesus do not use force. Followers of Jesus are loving and compassionate. To use force is to cross the line. Remember, he said he had come to save, not destroy.

At the same time Jesus described some other lines that we need to cross in order to be a faithful and effective follower. The first is this. Home is anywhere. Our faith should not be limited to our own towns and our own circles. As John Wesley said, “The whole world should be our parish.”

You’ve probably never heard of Arnold Billie. Mr. Billie, as he was affectionately known, was a rural mail carrier in southern New Jersey. His daily route took him sixty-three miles through several counties and five towns. On his route he frequently provided personal service to his customers. If there was anything someone needed from the post office, Mr. Billie provided it; stamps, money orders, or packages to be picked up. All the customer needed to do was leave the flag up on their mailbox. One elderly woman had trouble starting her lawn mower. So on the days she needed it she left it beside her mailbox. When Mr. Billie came by he would start the mower and leave it running for her. Mr. Billie was willing to cross the line when it came to helping one’s neighbor. His faith went beyond his routine responsibilities.

Secondly, Jesus was saying that traditions hold us back. Burying the dead is a sacred act and helpful in providing closure when someone dies that we love. On the other hand, traditions have the power to limit us, prevent us from being creative and exploring alternatives.

Jesus used the illustration of the plow to make his point about the need to keep moving forward. When a farmer uses a plow that is pulled by an animal he must keep looking at a fixed point ahead. If he doesn’t the line he plows will be crooked. As disciples we have to keep moving forward, using modern resources for worship, ministry and especially preaching. In the 1960’s St. Paul’s had twice the attendance on Sunday mornings we have now. But in 1960 we didn’t have a radio program that reaches thousands of people or a web site that is global.

In the year 1797, farmers in New Jersey, the same state where Mr. Billie started a woman’s mower while delivering mail, resisted the use of a cast iron plow. They made the claim that a cast iron plow would poison the ground and stimulate the weeds. Thankfully, farmers have since adapted even newer technology to grow crops.

Third, Jesus was saying that one’s “family” is more than just our biological family. When Jesus referred to family he was speaking of our “spiritual family.” Our faith is not limited to those we are related to. People of faith develop relationships with others, not just our relatives. Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of God are his brothers and sisters.” (Mark 3:35)

I am blessed to have two wonderful daughters. On father’s day we spent the afternoon together, boating, swimming and playing with the grandchildren. But every father’s day I receive a phone call from by step daughter, who lives in Portland Maine. This year she said to me, “You are the only real father I have, and I love you.” I am grateful for our close relationship. There are times when she calls me for advice or information. We have a really close relationship even though there is no biological connection.

As disciples, Jesus wants us to cross the line, create new boundaries when it comes to sharing our faith. He wants our love to be unlimited with the realization that what really makes life fulfilling and meaningful is our spiritual family.

To go from a small, farming community in Central Ohio to being a tugboat captain in Charleston, South Carolina requires a real leap of faith. Like all other transitions this young man’s success will depend on his relationships with other people. That is what got him there and that is what will continue to keep him sailing on the high seas.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio