Proper 8 Yr C
Freedom to love & serve

Introduction

In Galatians, Paul has once again set a prescription for successful living. In our gospel lesson about the Beatitudes (earlier this year), we learned some lofty do's and don't's. In Paul's writing, there is nothing to guess about. In this passage, there is a distinct line drawn between behaviors that the Spirit likes and those behaviors She doesn't like. Paul uses the phrase the flesh versus the Spirit but many of the behaviors of the Spirit are actually good for the flesh (or human body). 

The bad things (or "of the flesh") are pretty awful at first glance: "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these" (Galatians 5:19-21). Often when I see a list like this, my first (without thinking) reaction is, "I'm glad that's not me!" Then I look again and say, "Oh, no! wait. Isn't my smugness on the 'of the flesh' side?" Another "without thinking" reaction I sometimes have is to make these behaviors bigger than they sometimes are. For example, I am not a jealous person—but if I wish for the teacher to call on me instead of "the person over there", isn't that jealousy? If I say someone isn't acting their age, isn't that a bit of envy? The point is these "of the flesh" behaviors do not have to be on a grand scale, and most often are not.

On the other side are the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). As I look through this list, again I recognize that these behaviors are not necessarily on a grand scale. I will quickly tell you I'm a kind person, and for the most part I am. Yet, even I can see that some of my behaviors would not be considered "kind." So . . . what is Paul trying to tell us? Did you get it yet?

Well, I admit I led you a bit astray by jumping straight into the "in the flesh" behaviors versus the "fruit of the Spirit" behaviors. Given that, I now direct you to the beginning of the reading, verse 1 of this passage: "For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Aha! When we forget what Christ has done for us and slip into bad behaviors, we are enslaving ourselves, rather than accepting the freedom Christ gained for us. For me, I hope that my slipping into and out of bad behaviors is acceptable in the final accounting. I recognize my weaknesses and am grateful for God's grace.

In a gospel commentary, The Rev. David W. Peters tells us: “. . . “When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Jesus was walking into a death-trap, and yet he set his face, stone-like in the Greek, towards Jerusalem. He knew what he was getting into, and yet he moved toward Jerusalem because he had the freedom to love. Jesus was determined to love the whole world, including the people who actively rejected him. This is the ultimate freedom, the freedom to love those who do not love us. The ultimate freedom is the freedom to love our enemies.” Reverend Peters also concludes: "Jesus seems to say. 'Follow me, and you will bless the world with your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.' " I think so too!

Comments welcome.

Luke 9:51-62

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. . . . As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

From sermon4kids.com: “Jesus is still calling today, “Follow me!” Will you follow, or will you make excuses?”