In an "If Then" World

Luke 9:{57} As they were going along the road, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." {58} 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." {59} To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." {60} But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." {61} Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." {62} Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

You and I live in an “If Then World.” If you go to work and do your job you will get paid. If you drive the speed limit then you won’t get a speeding ticket. If you do your school work then you will receive a matching grade. If you pay your rent then you will have a place to live. The list goes on.

Such language naturally fills our daily life. Contracts make the world go round. If I lay down the money on the counter I can buy the product. If I pay, I have a right to expect goods or services which match the monetary exchange. We simply cannot function in this world without contracts which are written, verbal or, at least, implied.

I think that’s why it is so difficult for us to hear what Jesus has to offer. So often when he encounters us we want to talk in contract language. We would expect something like, if you do this then I will bless you. We might live our lives believing that if we do what God asks, then we will naturally have a very nice life. We will be prosperous, pretty, and powerful. Yet, when things don’t last or don’t work out, then we are left in quandary. Should I have tried harder? Is God just out to get me? Is God not paying attention? All these questions stem from contract language.

This weekend’s Gospel story is filled with contract language questions to which Jesus brings firm answer. A would be follower says, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." In other words, if I can do this first then I will follow. The old “if then” problem creates abrupt answers from Jesus.

Instead of contract language, Jesus speaks in absolutes. “You are mine!” You are forgiven!” You have eternal life!’ These are not premises for contract language. They contain no “if then” proposals but rather are pure Gospel Gifts! Jesus brings these with unconditional truth. You and I could always do more for Christ as we serve in the world, but the truth is that the doing is not what makes us who we are. As Paul maintains in Galatians 5, For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm. Be firm in who you are. Christ has made you God’s own and now listen to his invitations to follow. Forget all the contract language. Forget all the “if then” language. Just be open to the Word of God and see were it all goes. God’s love for you is unconditional and where it will lead us is unbelievable!