Readings Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 , Luke 14:25-33
Prayer: May the words of my mouth and the
understandings of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O God, our rock and
our sustainer. Amen
I spent most of my
early parenting years persuading our children that it was never good to use the
word ‘hate’ – it was too easy and emotive, quite indiscriminate, and a strong
word for extremists to hang their hat on.
Rather, I said, use words such as dislike or ‘am uncomfortable with’ –
for me ‘hate’ was a bit of a four letter word.
And yet here it is in the beginning of our Gospel passage – Jesus seemingly telling us to hate our
families, even life itself we want to do this faith thing properly.
The sentiment expressed
is unequivocal and out there – a statement we would expect from someone who is
no longer interested in the balanced view, who is stirring others to a cause
with extreme hyperbole and shocking statements – but not from our gentle loving
Jesus.
So maybe the
translations are wrong somehow – or our understanding of the word is changed –
forsake not hate, a preference for a best way or a letting go of something
(according to the Message version of the bible) – well yes to all of that but
still, whatever the interpretation, this
is an extreme passionate and very uncomfortable statement of the cost of
discipleship. And it is really tempting
to just pass on quickly and not engage with this particular passage in too much
depth.
The words of explanation
following are just as troublesome – but in a different way. Almost too pragmatic – telling us to be
measured in what we choose to do, plan and predict consequences before we
engage, be rational. Know what you are
taking on and be prepared to withdraw if you think you might not win.
Extremist statement
followed by cautioning practicality – a paradox is it not, yet it is what we
have come to expect from this man Jesus.
So - which one of us
thinks that hating our family or giving away all our possessions are a
pre-requisite of being a Christian? Not
a one I would say.
So how do we wiggle out
of this one then with our theological integrity intact and our hearts telling
us this cannot be so. Perhaps by going
back to that word I used earlier - hyperbole – that act of saying something
more extreme than you actually mean to make a point, to introduce a new
perspective, a new way of thinking – a point that often gentler words slide
off. We do it all the time – like when we say ‘The whole city was there to
watch Otago defend the shield’ offering a take on the depth of feeling. Or ‘I have nothing to do’ to express a sense
of indecision or boredom! Likewise
Jesus is using extreme language to make a very important point – which is:
discipleship, following the way of Christ comes at a cost and it is important
to take time to consider that before you commit to this path. Hence the emotive and the practical in one
place. The shock statement and the
caution. Alienation from family,
community, possessions, openness to personal and financial vulnerability are on
the cards if you choose to follow the way of Christ so take time to understand
that. Be aware that if living in God’s
way is your purpose as a Christian, then it will bring you into conflict and
difficult times with the world you live in.
How might this show
itself to us these days? What are the
things that might bog us down/hold us back so much that we need such a very
sharp knife as these words of Jesus to cut loose – to be the people God calls
us to be.
Often, sad to say this
can be family, family of upbringing, family of church, and of community. In all those contexts, there are views and
strictures that either constrain us or send us off in the opposite direction to
a straight jacket of rebellion, times
when the desire to please or to keep the peace overcomes that which we know is
wrong, hurtful, when a fear of lost relationship or condemnation holds us back
from speaking out for better ways.
And we all, I am sure
could write out a list of times where our possessions, our need for financial
security has compromised our choices to live to God’s purpose – where we watch
with awe, and only awe I might say, at those who trustingly walk that path of
uncertain provision for the future. When we put possessions above gifting,
personal comfort above sustainability, future proofing above the hungry child
who needs food today – then we are making choices that hold us back, that need that same sharp knife applied to change
how we think and act.
And this has to be
relevant in our church at this time as
we struggle and bicker over the response to same-sex marriages
legislation. I could even be tempted to
say ‘I hate’ the way that some within the church are attempting to impose a
particular binding on how I or any of us should act or believe – this within a
church where the wisdom and understanding of – a bit of hyperbole coming up
here - of forever has been to honour diversity of opinion. But it is real – it has happened. What do we do? A very wise person said to me a few weeks ago
as I was getting pretty angry about this – he said while it is understandable
to want to face into the battle and one day prevail, is it not better, more the
way of Christ, to simply live out that which we believe is right, even if it
has some substantial consequences for us within the Church?
Another wise person
(yes I know a lot of wise people) said to me a couple of days ago – when did
the church stop being a movement and become an organisation where enforced
‘right’ thinking took priority over being a mission filled community of Christ
living as Christ would have us do? And
how do we become a movement again – where the way of Christ, the walk of faith
in love, forgiveness and mercy as a people of God is the most important thing
in our lives and we leave off those things within our church family or without,
that prevent us being who we are called to be – let us treasure our heritage
but be vigilant for that which holds us back, prevents us from putting God at
the forefront of our lives.
And that is whatever
prevents us being a people who affirm the right to life, love and hope for all
people.
As we gather round the
table today, re-membering that supper in the upper room, may we each one of us
understand that we are welcome, who ever we are and wherever we are, that we
are gathered as a people of God and nourished so that we might then go out to
be the best we can be for God – and if that is not worth a bit of passionate
emotive hyperbole, then I am not sure what is!
Margaret Garland
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