Missed Opportunities (Luke 9:51-62)

Missed Opportunities

Luke 9:51-62

Introduction: Determination

In a garage in 1976, a group of guys started a computer company that would change the world. You've probably heard of the two Steves involved: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. However, there was a third founder of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) who wrote the first partnership agreement, wrote the manual for the Apple I and even drew the first Apple logo. That man was Ronald Wayne.

The reason why you probably never heard of Wayne is that less than two weeks after founding Apple and receiving a 10% stake in the company, he sold his Apple stock for $800. (He reportedly got another check later for $1,500 to forfeit any claims he had against the company going forward.) Today, his stock would be worth more than $55 billion.

Why would Wayne bail on Apple so early? He had been burned before. An earlier venture of Wayne's buying and selling slot machines fizzled and left him paying back creditors for two years. When Jobs began taking out loans to fulfill their first order, Wayne, who as a partner would be liable for any debts incurred, got skittish and sold his stake.[1]

Ever regret a missed opportunity? Ever wonder about a “what if”? There was a glimmer of possibility. We saw it just for a moment, had an instance to choose, and then it was gone. We are haunted by what could have happened.

What made you miss? Maybe it was a previous bad experience (like Wayne at Apple) that made you want to play it safe.  What made you miss? Couldn’t decide quickly enough. You thought about it, but then you were too busy. Or maybe the path to opportunity was too difficult. We all have those moments. What would have happened if we had taken the other path?

Jesus met a lot of people like us. Ordinary people. He told them about his plan—he called it the kingdom of God—with him at the center. He made extraordinary claims: that he was God’s chosen one—the Messiah—God in the flesh. Then he made an offer: come and follow me.

What an opportunity! Some joined Jesus, but others let him pass by. Why? What was their reason? If we can see their excuse, maybe we can recognize it in our own lives before and accept Jesus’ offered opportunity.

We pick up the story in Luke, the third of four biographies of Jesus found in the Bible, in the 9^th chapter, starting near the end, in verse 51:

⁵¹ As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

First, Jesus had determination. Luke says he “resolutely set out”. Christmas started the plan, but Passover was the conflict, Easter the climax and Pentecost the resolution.  Jesus’ life was not an accidental juxtaposition of personality, religious ferment and political turmoil. Jesus knew his place, he knew the promises, he knew his part in it and he was determined to push through to the end.

Second, he had a deadline. Luke says, “as the time approached” The “time” that Jesus was concerned about was the annual festival of Passover, a celebration of God’s rescue of the nation. It was a time of annual pilgrimage. Jews from all over the Roman Empire would return to take part. Jesus’ disgrace on the cross would be public, his return to life would be public and many of these Jews would witness this and carry it home with them.

Third, he had a destination: Jerusalem. He “set out for Jerusalem.” Jerusalem was the center of religious and political life for the nation of Israel. The temple was there. The Jewish leaders were there. The Roman governor was there. The crowds were here.

This is Jesus’ story. His story has a theme—a message—a story that says to God: “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

At some point, Jesus’ story intersects our story. He invites us, “Come. Follow me.” Join my story. Change the world with me. We have a choice, to join him or turn him down.

People do turn him down. In these next few minutes, let’s take a portrait of those who turned Jesus down in the last part of this chapter. Who were they?

Don’t Like His Destination (vs. 52-53)

Sometimes people turn him down because they didn’t like his destination. Take a look starting in verse 52.

⁵² And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; ⁵³ but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.

Jesus was determined to get to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover. But he did most of his preaching and healing in northern Israel, called Galilee, and southern Israel, around Jersualem. In between north and south, was Samaria, inhabited by Samaritans. The Samaritans believed that Passover should be celebrated at Mount Gerazim, not in Jerusalem. So, they weren’t interested in Jesus and his story because they didn’t like where he was doing—his destination.

We like our where and when and how. We like to be the main character in our own story—our own movie. Deliberately or accidently, we move Jesus into the role of best supporting actor, or extra, or non-speaking part and remove him from the credits.  But any other story than Jesus’ story leads to disappointment.

Maybe, we have centered our life around successful career, or healthy family or secure retirement or experience. Jesus invites is to put his plot—his story—his purpose at the center. “Come. Follow me.”

Get Distracted By Pride (vs. 54-56)

Sometimes people turned Jesus down because they didn’t like his destination. Others tended to be distracted because they want to be “right”. Look at verse 54:

⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” ⁵⁵ But Jesus turned and rebuked them, ⁵⁶ and they went to another village.

They wanted respect. They decided to be Jesus’ enforcers. Notice how they divide the world into “for” and “against” “in” and “out” “with us” or “against us” We are with Jesus. We are special, ‘cause we saw the trans-fi-gur-ation. We are “in” You don’t welcome Jesus. You are “out” You are second-class kindling.

Notice how they are distracted? This is no longer about Jesus and his mission. It is about us and our mission to appear important. Those Samaritans didn’t respect us Jesus, so let’s toast them. Earlier, it was John who was worried that other disciples were able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name (Luke 9:49). Later, it was James and John who wanted the prime seats next to Jesus in the kingdom (Matthew 20:21)

We do this, too. We like being right. We like to appear right. Because it means that they (whoever “they” is) are wrong. We are so angry at “them” Most people don’t think of Christians as loving so much as angry.

Every ounce of improvement in our character is grace. If we could improve due to our willpower, our purity of character, or our superior smarts, then we might have some reason to brag, saying we worked harder or better. But we and they are fundamentally unable to improve without God’s grace. We are all together, humbled by our inability, but blessed by God’s ability.

Encounter Discomfort (vs. 57-58)

People turned Jesus down because of his destination. They distracted by wanting to be right. Next, some turn away from Jesus because of discomfort:

⁵⁷ As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸ Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Tonight, when you get back to your house, there is a knock on the door. Outside are men, obvious foreigners, unshaven, dirty. Some are obviously enforcer muscle types but one says he’s a preacher.  They ask if they can spend the night.

Remember, Jesus didn’t get welcomed by the Samaritans. So they went to the next village.  Maybe nobody opened the door there for the son of God. They don’t want Jesus and they certainly don’t want his scruffy friends. So you sleep out on the porch, or in a doorway, or maybe in the barn or under a tree.

How many of us abandon Jesus’ story because we don’t like the way people look at us when we say we are Christians. We’re embarrassed. Or we don’t like that God leads us through a tough time. Or asks for first dibs on our time and resources.

Is God more important than your comfort, or is comfort your God? [Lent]

Demand Other Priorities (vs. 59-60)

Some don’t like his destination. Some get distracted by pride. Some find it too difficult—too much discomfort. Others try to demand priorities. Look at verses 59 and 60:

⁵⁹ He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

This incident is not about a funeral or respect for parents. This incident is actually about who is “first”

Jesus says to him, “Follow me” and the first words out of his mouth are, “Lord, first let me…” Don’t you see the contradiction built in to those words? He calls Jesus “Lord” But when you “follow” someone you are not first. You are, by definition, second.

He wants to set the terms of his “follower”-ship. He wants to dictate to his “Lord” the where and when. He wants to fulfill his own mission, then he’ll tack Jesus’ mission on to the end. First, Jesus, let me make sure my situation is stable. First, Jesus, let me have my fun (because the life with you is uncomfortable and/or boring). First, Jesus, let me make a name for myself. Then I’ll join you. But don’t wait up for me, because there might be a little delay.

Jesus says to us:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33

Doubt Our Choice (vs. 61-62)

We don’t like his destination. We get distracted by pride. We find it too difficult—too much discomfort. We demand other priorities. Finally, we doubt. Look at verses 59 and 60:

⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” ⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

There’s that word “first” again. This incident is not about family. This is about doubts. Jesus called this man’s name, “Come! Follow me.” Initially excited, but then he starts to have second thoughts. Discerning his thoughts, Jesus tells him: you can’t serve the past and the future at the same time.

I am not a farmer. But Helen grew up in and among rice farmers and she told me that when you plow a field, you place a stick at the end of the row. You get a straight row when you line up the handle of the plow with the stick between the horns of the carabaw (water buffalo). But looking back over your shoulder will produce a crazy, wavy line.

Barry Cooper, in his article in Christianity Today, asked: Would you prefer to make an ironclad, no-turning-back choice, or one you could back out of if need be? Do you ever find that you're afraid to commit? Do you reply to party invitations with a ''maybe'' rather than a ''yes'' or ''no''? Do you like to keep your smartphone switched on at all times, even in meetings, [because you might miss the other conversation you could be a part of] …  Will you focus on the person you're talking to after a church service, or will you look over her shoulder for a better conversation partner? If so, you may be worshiping the god of open options. – Christianity Today, [2]

In Jesus, your best days are in front of you. Where you are going is not found desiring where you have been. Leave that behind. Grab ahold of Jesus with both hands and don’t let go.

Conclusion

Let’s wrap this up. We have lots of excuses why we don’t pursue Jesus whole-heartedly. But that’s what they are: excuses. We will all be asked: “What did you do with Jesus?” Sorry, God, too busy. Sorry, God, too hard. Sorry, God, got distracted. Sorry, God, wasn’t sure. Jesus passed by and we missed him.

Mike Smith was an executive in charge of evaluating talent for Decca Records when he traveled to Liverpool, England, to listen to an up and coming band. He was impressed. The band had unmistakable talent, so he brought them to Decca's London office for an audition on New Year's Day 1962. The band played 15 songs, went home and waited for an answer.

When they finally heard the answer, Decca's famous reply was that, "guitar groups are on the way out" and "the Beatles have no future in show business".[3]

How would you like to be Mike Smith? Or Decca Records? Well, Jesus is more famous than the Beatles. Today Jesus is passing by. Today, you have the opportunity to join him. He is inviting you now, just like he did then: “Come. Follow me.” The Bible says:

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. – 2 Corinthians 6:2b

Where will he take me? I don’t know. My life has already been unexpected. And I get it wrong. But I do know that every time I am troubled, I search for Jesus and line myself up behind him.

Imagine for a moment. What would your company look like if God was running it? Would your products change? Would your salaries change? Would your profit margins change? How about school? What would it look like? Would the subjects change? Would the goals change? Now, your entertainment, your family, your marriage, your church. Take this opportunity to follow Jesus, so he can transform them by his presence in you.

Where Jesus is going is where I want to go. What he is doing I want to do. Pray with me: “Jesus, I want to take advantage of the opportunity you give me, to find my part in your plan. But Jesus, I am easily distracted and easily discouraged. Today, give me the willpower and the strength to overcome anything that comes between me and you in every part of my life. Thank you that your life and death provided the way for me to do that. Amen.”

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[1][1] 5 Costly Missed Business Opportunities, Brian Reed (April 26, 2012), http://www.investinganswers.com/personal-finance/rich-famous/5-costly-missed-business-opportunities-4244, retrieved on February 12, 2013

[2] Are You Worshiping the Idol of Open Options, Barry Cooper, Christianity Today Online (February 15, 2013), retrieved on February 17, 2013

[3][3] 5 Costly Missed Business Opportunities, Brian Reed (April 26, 2012), http://www.investinganswers.com/personal-finance/rich-famous/5-costly-missed-business-opportunities-4244, retrieved on February 12, 2013