May the words of my mouth and the meditation of each heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.

            At first blush, today’s gospel doesn’t seem to have a lot to do with Ash Wednesday.  After all, it is quite different from the traditional Ash Wednesday readings.  However, upon reflection, it is a good way to begin our Lenten journey, as Jesus turns his face toward Jerusalem, and ultimately, toward the cross.

         Just as Sunday’s encounter on the mountain top pointed toward the trials that were to come, now Jesus has begun his journey in earnest.  As he heads south toward Jerusalem, he comes to a Samaritan village that refuses to receive him.  This refusal is precisely because he is heading to Jerusalem, for the Samaritans believed that the more ancient (and correct) place to worship God was on Mt. Gerizim.  And so, they miss the opportunity to welcome the Saviour of the world.

         James and John (the sons of thunder) have somehow gotten the impression that those who refuse to receive Jesus should be consumed by fire from heaven.  How little they have learned (it seems) in all of their time with Jesus.  Jesus’ mission does not involve punishing those who reject him.  Instead, Jesus simply moves on to those who are ready to receive him.

         As they continue along the road, various people misunderstand what it really means to follow Jesus.  There is at least one who thinks that they will follow Jesus wherever he goes.  However, Jesus warns them that this will not lead to the halls of power, but to spending the night on the Mount of Olives, and ultimately, to the cross.

         Others along the way think that they want to follow Jesus, but are pulled in several different directions.  “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first…” (Lk. 9:61) – you can fill in the blanks.  Just as Jesus is “all in” as he heads toward Jerusalem and the accomplishment of his mission, those who follow him are also asked to put their whole selves in.  Believing in Jesus and following him cannot be half-hearted or half-way.

         For us, however, being human, sometimes other things creep in and get in the way.  We are so easily distracted, and we often do not have the sort of single-minded commitment that Jesus carried with him on his way to Jerusalem and the cross.  At least in part, this is why we observe the season of Lent each year.  It is an opportunity to press the “reset” button on our faith:  to repent of all that draws us away from God; to adopt disciplines that will help us to grow in our faith and our commitment to Jesus; to remember our human condition without the salvation that Jesus brings.

         At the same time, it is an opportunity to journey with Jesus and to imagine what it must have been like for him as he headed toward Jerusalem, knowing what lay ahead for him there.  Imagine being surrounded by disciples who still don’t get it, even after spending several years with Jesus.  Imagine having come in love, yet being met with jealousy, opposition, and even hatred from the religious leaders.  Imagine being surrounded daily by throngs of people who are desperate to touch you in the hopes of being healed.

         The road that Jesus walked was never an easy one, and only possible with daily renewal in prayer in the presence of his heavenly Father.  We, too, need this renewal through prayer, time spent in worship, and awareness of the presence of God.  It is this renewal through prayer and the Holy Spirit that empowers us for some of the other things that are part of the discipline of Lent, and part of living as followers of Jesus – things like sacrificial giving and works of love.

         Lent is not just about giving something up, but about making space for God and adopting those disciplines that will help us to grow in our faith and discipleship as we journey with Jesus.  Ultimately, this journey to Jerusalem and to the cross is for you and for me – a journey that is driven by the love of God.  For, it is through the death and resurrection of Jesus that we are given forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Ash Wednesday (NL 3)                              Luke 9:51-62

February 17, 2021

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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