“To Have Faith is to Change” – Luke 14:25-33 – September 9, 2007

Six years ago this week our country experienced the tragic disaster we now call 9/11. Almost 3,000 people perished because of a small group of militant Islamic fundamentalists who “hate” the United States. It is difficult to comprehend such an experience of mass terror. Consequently our society changed. We beefed up our security and invaded Afghanistan and Iraq with military forc to cleanse the world of known terrorists. We made it harder to get a passport and we started eves-dropping on phone conversations to discover whether or not others might be planning an assault on our society.

Many changes have been made because we treasure freedom, our culture and the very lives of our people. Billions of dollars and resources have been allocated to this end. We have also created additional government, Homeland Security. No nation can question our commitment to stopping terrorism at all costs. We’ve made some progress, depending on who you talk too, but we still have a long way to go.

When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples he was speaking to his followers who also had a long way to go. Until that point they had been fascinated with his miraculous powers, his charisma that could draw a crowd and his words of inspiration that gave hope to the poor and impressed. Folks were listening, asking questions and they followed him as he moved from one town to another in Galilee. But, nothing was really changing. People were listening to his message and following him but other than that, society was not really changing.

The event of 9/11 has caused us to make some changes but for the most part we are back to living our day to day lives as usual. We continue to build skyscrapers, we are flying airplanes now more than ever and just like every military conquest before, we are questioning whether or not it was the right thing to do. In other words, 9/11 was a wake up call, but have we really changed?

To get his listeners to change Jesus spoke some very harsh words. He told his disciples to “hate” their families. He told them to make some real sacrifices by “carrying their cross,” and he told them to give up their possessions. His words seemed to suggest that he had no regard for their personal security or their family lives. Nor did he care about their personal possessions. He wanted his disciples to make some radical changes but his closest disciples deserted him when the chips were down.

He wanted to make a difference. He wanted to see changes in the way people treat each other. He wanted his listeners to rearrange their priorities and place a higher value on their faith and relationship with God. Surely his words must have startled the disciples and no doubt sent shock waves through his crowds of listeners.

I read an article in last Sunday’s paper where some people are questioning the need to continue to memorialize the tragedy of 9/11. One man said that perhaps we should just have a moment of silence on September 11th and cease having all day memorial services. “It’s time to move on,” he said. The commitment to the war on terrorism is waning as lives continue to be lost and the prospects for peace in Iraq seem very hopeless. Some say it’s time to leave, while others say we need to press on. The fruit of our efforts will ultimately be measured by the changes that are made in that society and throughout the world.

When people cease to live in fear, when neighboring nations and tribes can get along with each other and everyone can enjoy the basic essentials of day to day living without the threat of a repressive regime, then change has taken place.

Jesus was basically saying the same thing to all who would listen. The kingdom of God would be a reality when the following conditions took place: First, when we are able to live in faith, rather than fear we have changed and are able to live in peace. Secondly, when we have a solid relationship with God and have loving relationships with others we have changed. And thirdly, when we redirect our activities, time, talents and resources for the sake of the gospel instead of building empires for ourselves we also have changed.

So, what does Jesus want us to do? Does he really want us to “hate” our families the way the terrorists hate Americans? The word, “hate”, in the way we know it, is not what Jesus meant. The correct translation for “hate” in Aramaic does not mean anger or hostility. It means “to be less attached to.” In other words the demands of discipleship are to take precedence over our most sacred relationships. In Jesus’ day his disciples were an itinerant band who left their families and homes with minimal provisions in order to proclaim the gospel. To “hate” their families had to do with making their faith the number one priority in their lives.

I believe Jesus was talking about enabling or dependency. Our families are indeed the most important group in the world. We cherish our children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. At some point however we have to come into our own and take responsibility for our own lives. Jesus is not telling us to abandon our families. But, he is saying that families can stand in the way of our faith.

In the book, The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran, there is a chapter on the subject of children. Gibran wrote, “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love, but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls. For, their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.”

Gibran goes on to say that “We are the bows from which our children are living arrows who are sent forth.” There comes a time when a child had to be released, like an arrow. We can propel them but we do not control where they land. Likewise children have to be released from the bow to find themselves and be who God intended them to be.

We have changed when we can give our children the freedom to be responsible for their own lives. We can also change when we fully commit ourselves to being disciples. When Jesus said we must “calculate the cost of our tower before we build it,” he was talking about commitment. During Herod’s reign there were many unused buildings because they were unfinished. They stood as a testimony to Herod’s lack of commitment and interest to follow through. Herod would start projects but abandon them in the process, thus wasting resources. These half built structures were symbolic of Herod’s lack of faith.

Commitment means staying in the game for the entire season. Jesus wanted followers who were steadfast and willing to give 100% of their devotion. He was talking about a reallocation of our time, talents and resources.

Perhaps the greatest change comes about when we are able to “give up all our possessions.” Following Jesus has to do with more than just believing in him. It requires a behavioral change as well. We change the most when we are able to let go of our stuff. We hold on believing we will be more secure. But, being able to give things away actually makes us free. When we experience that kind of freedom we have truly rearranged our priorities and we begin to fully understand what it means to live as a person of faith.

We also change when we are able to “bear the cross.” One again, “cross bearing” is misunderstood. Jesus was not talking about the trials and sufferings of life. He was describing what we do voluntarily as a consequence of our commitment to Jesus Christ. Cross bearing requires intentional sacrifice and risk.

Miss Jones, an elderly spinster, was the oldest resident of her Midwestern town on the day she died. In writing her obituary, the editor of the local paper became stumped after noting her age. Miss Jones had never spent a night in jail nor had she ever been arrested. She also had never done anything noteworthy. While musing about what he might write, the editor went out for coffee in the local café, where he met the owner of the tombstone company, who was equally perplexed as to what to write about Miss Jones.

The editor returned to his office and assigned both the obituary and tombstone epitaph to the first reporter he saw. He happened to be the sports editor. If you pass through that little town, you’ll find this on Miss Jones’ tombstone: Here lie the bones of Nancy Jones. For her life held no terrors. She lived an old maid. No hits, no runs, no errors. (from God’s Devotional Book, Motivation, Honor Books)

Jesus wants us to be committed to life, unlike Nancy Jones. He wants us to try and give our best effort. He wants us to make some changes. He’s not asking us to be perfect, nor does he expect miraculous results. Most importantly, he wants us to realize that by making some changes in our lives we will be happier and fulfilled.

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