Excuses, Excuses

No Where to Lay His Head ...

Teachings

Excuses Excuses

Luke 14:15-24

Jesus was at a party and he gave a speech. Hearing him, one of those listening announced, “How wonderful it will be for those who are at the party of God!” Jesus replied with a story: “There was a man planning a party and he sent invitations out. As a reminder, he sent one of his employees out at the time of the party to all those invited. But they—every one—offered excuses instead. One said, ‘Oh, I just bought some real estate and I need to go look at it. So sorry, but I’m just too busy to come.’ Another said, ‘I just bought five work trucks and I need to test them out. I’m really sorry, but I’m too busy to come.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, and, well, we’re just too busy. Sorry, can’t come.’ So the employees returned to their CEO and explained all this to him. He fumed and he told his employees, ‘OK, fine. Then go downtown and invite every beggar—the bums, cripples, winos and indigent.’ After a bit, the employees reported back to him, ‘We did as you requested, sir, but the hall still looks pretty empty.’ So the CEO said, ‘Then go out of the city and collect the passers through, all the immigrants looking for work and other foreigners. Convince them to come in until the banquet hall is completely full. But I swear to you, not a single one who was invited will have even a bite of my feast.’

Jude: I just had the most frustrating conversation with Jesus today…

Matt: Oh, really? As if THAT was something new.

Jude: Yeah, I know. He should really take a class in making friends.

Matt: Well, look around at the crowds, boy. He won’t lack in followers. Anyway, what was your conversation about?

Jude: You know that I’ve been following Jesus for a while and so I decided to formally become his student. From my mindset, it only makes sense. He clearly has God’s approval—look at the miracles! And he says that he’s the only teacher that can bring us into God’s kingdom. I know that God’s kingdom is coming soon, and the priests and Sanhedrin are so corrupt they can’t last long. So I told him that I was ready to follow him formally.

Matt: That’s great! So what did he say?

Jude: That’s the thing. At first he seemed to accept my proposal, but then he just turned on me and said I wasn’t worthy.

Matt: Odd. Doesn’t sound like him. What exactly did he say?

Jude: Well, I told him I wanted to be one of his disciples. He nodded. So I told him that I would just say goodbye to my family and then come back to him right away. And he said something like, “Whoever plows…” or—

Matt: “He who sets his hand to the plow and turns back is not worthy of the kingdom of God.”

Jude: That’s it, exactly! How did you know?

Matt: When you are around a while, you’ll find that Jesus tends to repeat many of the same stories and aphorisms. Makes it easier to memorize them.

Jude: That’s good to know. If I ever get to be a disciple. But what does he mean by that phrase? It sounds like he’s just saying that I can’t follow him.

Matt: That’s not it at all. What he means is that to follow him is such a serious business that we have to be ready to sacrifice some pretty significant things in our lives.

Jude: Like what?

Matt: Well, did he mention possessions?

Jude: Not to me. But I did hear him make a pretty serious demand of another potential disciple.

Matt: That’s pretty common. He wants us all to surrender our possessions.

Jude: Ohhh. Hmm, maybe I don’t want to follow him after all. I don’t want some teacher using God’s law as a means of getting rich.

Matt: No, you don’t understand. He doesn’t get a cent of the money you give. He insists that we all give our possessions to the poor, not to him.

Jude: The poor? You mean, like beggars or people too lazy to work for themselves? Why should I give to them?

Matt: According to what Jesus says, simply because they are in need. They are followers of God as well. To call them lazy is a judgment that isn’t necessarily true. But our possessions are separating us from God, they tear us away from serving Him to serving them. They become another god in our lives so we need to be rid of them and give them to the poor.

Jude: Oh, come on. We have to take care of ourselves and care for our own. We can’t just leave everything and be dependent.

Matt: That is exactly what Jesus wants of us. He wants us to be dependent on God. The Lord has been trying to get us to be dependent on him ever since He formed his people. He gave them manna to depend on Him for food. He established rules for kings that they would not depend on an army, but on Him for security. Jesus himself taught us to pray for our daily bread, so we would depend on God daily. This is why he told us not to worry. “Seek the kingdom and its righteousness and all food and clothing will be provided by God.” So we surrender that which is not necessary so we can be dependent on Him.

Jude: Yeah, sure. But why the poor? Shouldn’t we give them to someone more deserving?

Matt: Doesn’t everyone deserve to eat? If we withhold our goods, we are keeping them from that. Doesn’t everyone deserve to have shelter from the cold—no matter who they are? Doesn’t everyone deserve to live? God gives everyone, no matter how evil, the basic to live. And He has handed the fate of the poor into our hands. Thus, we must help to be a part of God’s work.

Jude: Honesty, giving up my few possessions are no problem for me. Now my cousin Barnabas, he’s pretty well off and I don’t see him just selling off everything.

Matt: That’s why Jesus said it is so hard for a wealthy man to get into God’s kingdom. Because they have so much to give up.

Jude: Okay, I guess I understand that. But it doesn’t really have anything to do with what Jesus said to me. Jesus was talking about not even seeing my family to say goodbye. That goes beyond sacrifice, it’s irresponsible.

Matt: Really? So when you go to your family and say goodbye, what do you think will happen?

Jude: Well, they may disagree with me, but they will understand that I am an adult and that I make my own decisions…

Matt: Oh, really? Is that really what your mom will say?

Jude: Um, well, I guess not. I suppose she will break down and weep and beg me to stay.

Matt: Does she really appreciate Jesus?

Jude: She thinks he’s a cult leader. A conjurer who is in it for the money.

Matt: And what will you do if you get attacked by this weeping?

Jude: I don’t know. I suppose that I’ll just get back to Jesus?

Matt: Come on, be honest.

Jude: I suppose I would stay for a few days and then leave.

Matt: And at the end of the three days and your mom gives you another excuse to stay?

Jude: Oh. I see what you mean.

Matt: Jesus rightly sees your family as a rival for your devotion. He wants your all, not just part of you. If part of you is still emotionally tied to your family, you will never give your all to Him.

Jude: But, really, I have responsibilities. I am the first born. I have certain things to do.

Matt: Let others take care of your responsibilities. Don’t you have brothers who aren’t following Jesus?

Jude: Yes, but it isn’t their job…

Matt: And it isn’t yours either if you follow Jesus. Jesus has another job for you—one that will lead to eternal life. Yes, we should care for our families, but when Jesus calls us, then we can’t turn back. We can’t go back to our old lives, our old responsibilities. It’s dependence again. God will care for our responsibilities and we will work for Him.

Jude: But, Matt, no other teacher demands this! It’s insane. No other Jews require this.

Matt: Are you so insulated? There are whole communities that separate themselves from their families and their possessions and live for God and the poor. And even if no one else was doing it, Jesus is making the request of you. Is He your Lord or not?

Jude: I don’t know. It’s just so much.

Matt: Actually, what you are really saying with all these questions and objections is that you just don’t want to. You just don’t want to sacrifice your life, even for Jesus. But it isn’t just about Jesus or being a Christian. This is about a whole future. Are you willing to invest your life—your family, all you have—for a life of justice and love and hope? Are you willing to give up the paltry amount you have for the sake of eternity? If you don’t follow Jesus, where else will you gain eternal life? Will you get it by doing your family’s bidding? Will you get it by holding onto your possessions?

Jude: Well, no. I know that.

Matt: Then, really, isn’t it just a small thing Jesus is asking you to surrender? And that little bit for eternal life with God?

Jude: Yeah. You’re right. Let me think about that.

Matt: Yeah, you do that.

It is a fair exchange to trade temporary goods for eternal good