The
section we heard this morning continues from last week’s reading. Jesus is
talking with the disciples, preparing them to go out in mission.
But
this isn’t what we expect a pep talk to sound like. Here the disciples are told
it will be difficult, and some people will hate them because of the message of
Jesus.
The life of faith is not necessarily easy.
remember the song: I never promised a rose garden.
The life of faith is not necessarily easy.
remember the song: I never promised a rose garden.
We
are not promised life will be easy,
or that we will not have difficulties along the way.
We are promised new life and the presence of Jesus with us.
or that we will not have difficulties along the way.
We are promised new life and the presence of Jesus with us.
I
know many people get concerned about the section that talks about the division
within a family. Family members will be turned against each other.
Following
Jesus was costly.
Matthew's
Gospel was written in part to encourage synagogue members to risk separation
from family and friends in order to follow Jesus.[i]
following Jesus is not about being popular,
or rich,
or famous.
following Jesus is not about being popular,
or rich,
or famous.
Being
a disciple, we hear again and again is about
‘not being afraid’
following in the way of Jesus
putting Jesus first.
‘not being afraid’
following in the way of Jesus
putting Jesus first.
And
that is what this section is about.
The disciples are about to go out into the mission field,
in pairs,
relying on the hospitality of people they meet.
The disciples are about to go out into the mission field,
in pairs,
relying on the hospitality of people they meet.
Not
everyone will like you, and some may try and kill you.
This was time when the early Christians were leaving the synagogues, no longer being both Christian and Jewish. For many this meant being exiled from their families, at a time when family meant having somewhere to live and a place to belong.
This was time when the early Christians were leaving the synagogues, no longer being both Christian and Jewish. For many this meant being exiled from their families, at a time when family meant having somewhere to live and a place to belong.
But
it also meant having a new family, the family of the church.
As
a teenager, many people knew me as my father’s daughter. That is what I would
be called. My dad was such a larger than life figure, that we were Ross
Bannister’s, wife, daughter and son. We didn’t have our own names.
Dad
and I were close in many ways, and had lots in common, until I started going to
church. My relationship with parents, particularly my father, changed. He
didn’t want a religious daughter, so me going to church meant that I was
different. I had changed. At times, I had to choose between pleasing my parents
and doing what I thought was right in my relationship with God. Those decisions
were not easy.
Jesus
is not saying ignore your family, but that obedience to Jesus will relativize household relationships.[ii] That is your
family relationship will be secondary to your relationship with God through
Jesus.
We
often hear about Christian or Biblical family values, yet here we have Jesus
calling into question the idolatry of the family and warns that the gospel may
divide rather than unite the home."[iii]
The
Message paraphrase of the Bible puts it this way: I’ve come to cut through
these cosy domestic arrangements and free you for God. [the Message]
Parents often have an idea about what
they would like their child to be like as they grow up; such as a musician or a
sportsperson. Some families have very specific expectations. Other people will
also have expectations about what you will do with your life.
If we are to be disciples, followers of
Jesus, we need to be able to follow God’s dream for who we are, not our
parents, or our bosses, or our children, or even our own dreams.
It can be difficult growing into the person
God calls us to be, and this passage recognises that, and again Jesus tells the
disciples to not be afraid.
This morning as we celebrate the 40th
Anniversary of the Uniting Church,
as we recognise people who have offered leadership,
as we commission elders and church councillors,
what are we being asked to give up for Jesus?
where are we being asked to step out in faith?
what is the mission field we are being sent out to?
as we recognise people who have offered leadership,
as we commission elders and church councillors,
what are we being asked to give up for Jesus?
where are we being asked to step out in faith?
what is the mission field we are being sent out to?
Are we willing to take the risk?
