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Pentecost 4

27 June 2004

Written by the Rev Dr Philippa Horrex of Wanganui

Theme:  Commitment

2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14
These verses describe a test of commitment. Elijah, God’s prophet, knew his time on earth was almost over. He also knew God wanted a replacement for him.  Elisha had been a faithful follower, but Elijah needed to ascertain how ready the younger man was to step into his teacher’s footsteps. As they journeyed to the Jordan, Elijah gave Elisha three opportunities to stay in towns on the way. Each time Elisha refused to be parted from Elijah even though he had been told by other prophets of his teacher’s forthcoming death. Devoted to and loyal to God’s calling, and committed totally to ministry, Elisha determined to go wherever he was led.

Elijah’s parting of the waters of the Jordan was an expression, not only of his God-given powers, but a lesson for Elisha – just as God had enabled Elijah to do this, so he would give Elisha the potential to do likewise if he but had the confidence and trust in God.  Elijah’s question, “ Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you”, indicates his endorsement of Elisha’s position as his successor. Elisha’s reply shows his readiness and willingness to pick up the responsibilities before him–he  asked for Elijah’s permission to inherit his important ministry.

With Elijah’s disappearance in the whirlwind into heaven, Elisha took up his teacher’s  mantle and showed his readiness to carry on the work Elijah had been engaged in. By striking the waters of the river as Elijah had done, he is demonstrating his faith in God’s power and provision.

Psalm 77: 1-2, 11-20
This psalm is a testimony of God's everlasting grace. The writer tells of his anguish  and despair, but then goes on to recall God’s past commitment to his people, and takes comfort from that. 

Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Paul in these verses is talking about service as the Christian goal. Our commitment should be to live by the Spirit so as to enable us to serve one another. The “works of the flesh” are the very things which work against caring for one another; they are about self-gratification and thoughtlessness towards others. The “fruit of the Spirit” on the other hand, are gifts of grace from God. They are the marks of the committed Christian and represent what humans can become when the human spirit has been energized and enlivened by God's Spirit 

Luke 9: 51-62
There is considerable cost to discipleship, and the second half of this reading explains clearly the commitment needed to follow Christ. It actually appears that Jesus is driving away potential followers as he indicates to all three men that there is a conflict of interest between their wish to be his disciples and their actual readiness to follow him. They have put other things first – home and family.  In his response to them, Jesus is putting their commitment to the test.

It seems that Jesus is saying that anything that distracts us from a total commitment to him should be shunned. Nothing must compete with Christ for our loyalty. 

Sermon thoughts
There are a number of issues raised by these readings about commitment to be explored, although I have asked more questions than given answers!

In light of the Elijah/Elisha story what is our willingness to serve in the church or community?  Are we ready to go the extra mile?  Or are we easily distracted from serving or ministering to others?  Elisha could have simply stayed in one of the places he and Elijah passed though.  How committed are we?

Sometimes we find reasons for not being committed as Christians.  It has been suggested that Elijah and Elisha’s crossing of the Jordan can be likened to the removal of barriers to fulfilling God’s call.  The question could be asked “What are the Jordan rivers that act as barriers to your commitment to God?”   Some of the works of the flesh mentioned by Paul in Galatians could be mentioned here.

A difficult issue is raised in the Gospel reading regarding the importance of family.  Jesus is saying that family is not our number one priority and yet many people, both Christian and non-Christian, would argue against this.  Society and the church have put family on a pedestal – how can we justify this in light of Jesus’ demands for total commitment from his followers? 

Prayer
Joy Cowley has written in her book Aotearoa Psalms a prayer/psalm that looks at the excuses we make for not answering Jesus’ call.