Luke 13:31-35
A. INTRODUCTION
There are people in life who appear to have only one thing on their mind—one thing that is at the centre of their attention; one thing that consumes all their time and thinking. For some it is politics. And I’m sure we’ve all come across people who are so actively involved in political affairs that they have little time for anything else. For others it is the issue of conservation. Because there are people who are prepared to go to great lengths to save the environment and are very passionate about it. For others still it is a new born baby, because many parents get so wrapped up in their newborn child that, even for a short period, it is difficult to have a conversation on any other subject. And for some it is religion, with some people very dedicated to the cause.
Of course, depending upon how we see the particular issues involved, that focus—that single-minded attention—can be seen in either negative or positive terms. Indeed, with some people, we may wish that they’d soften up a bit and get a life. Others, well they seem to have their finger on the pulse.
However before we tap anyone on the shoulder and suggest that they lighten up, I suggest, that we take a close look at this passage from Luke’s gospel. That we consider the implications, look at our own focus, and then ask ourselves, ‘Have we got the balance right?’
B. A VERY FOCUSED JESUS
1. A Warning Against Herod (31-33)
And the story begins with Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, stopping at the towns and villages, teaching on the way. That is, until all of a sudden he was approached by some apparently friendly Pharisees. Now I say, ‘apparently friendly’, because apart from the odd Pharisee, Jesus did not enjoy a good relationship with them, and therefore their motivation was up for question.
And what the Pharisees told Jesus was to go away. He was in Herod’s territory and Herod was out to get him. Herod wanted him dead. And so the Pharisees suggested that Jesus move out into at least one of the surrounding territories outside of Herod’s jurisdiction.
Of course, whether that was true, or not, is up to conjecture. We know Herod like the quiet life and he was always quick to remove a potential trouble maker before there was trouble. So it is possible that Herod did have designs on Jesus’s life—and maybe the Pharisees were kindly letting Jesus know. On the other hand, maybe it was untrue, and the Pharisees were just stirring up trouble. Maybe they wanted to get rid of Jesus themselves and had made up the story about Herod as an excuse. We don’t know. But then, maybe there’s a bit of truth in both scenarios and Herod and the Pharisees were having a go.
Whatever the truth, Jesus dismissed the warning. As far as he was concerned he had a task to perform and he was not going to be diverted by either Herod or the Pharisees. So, he told the Pharisees in no uncertain terms that if Herod wanted to kill him then let him follow him to Jerusalem and do it there.
2. Comment
Now talk about someone being focussed or single-minded. Jesus wasn’t concerned about saving his own life, no matter what dangers he faced. He wasn’t concerned to follow human advice, no matter how genuine it sounded. Jesus had one thing on his mind, and one thing only, and that was the fulfilment of his part in God’s plan. And that involved him travelling to Jerusalem and telling as many people as possible about God that he could do on the way, no matter what the dangers.
As a consequence, Jesus’s message to the Pharisees was quite clear. He was going to go on with his work, regardless. And if that meant that his life would be shortened, so be it. But he wouldn’t be stopped or diverted from fulfilling his obligations to his Father, to do the things to which he had been entrusted regardless of the cost.
Indeed, he was determined to continue on his work until his task was completed—a task he knew would finish in Jerusalem and a task he knew he would pay for with his life.
3. Lament over Jerusalem (34-35)
And as Jesus went on his way he didn’t deviate once from his task. He did stop, however, for a moment to lament over those who just couldn’t accept his depth of devotion and the message that he brought. And he spent a few moments lamenting over what could have been, and over the city that had the reputation of rejecting prophets: Jerusalem itself.
C. IMPLICATIONS
Now when we compare the people we know who are focussed or single-minded with the kind of devotion to duty that is illustrated by Jesus in this story, it brings into new light the idea of being dedicated to a cause.
Because whether the issue is politics, conservation, a new born baby, or religion, the fact is that being single-minded is often seen in very negative terms, and often in terms that people need to get a life. And yet, this quality of being so focussed on a particular task, and so passionate about a cause, are the very things that are the marks of our Lord and Saviour too.
Which raises the question for us, ‘Why are people looked down upon for being single-minded?’ And ‘Why is Jesus so highly prized when it comes to the same thing?’ Just what are the lessons we can learn in this today?
1. The Cause
Well, the first thing one could say is there are differences in the causes. Those interested in politics are often caught up in the debate and dealing with the issues. Those interested in conservation try hard to retain what has been created and what they believe needs to be preserved. And those interested in a little child are often caught up in the wonder of the life that has been brought into the world.
But, regarding religion . . . Yes, some people may be enthralled by the history, the theological debate, and the ceremony. However, regarding Jesus, his message was about something greater than all those things. Indeed his focus was on the creator himself.
In other words if the topic is about the God who created us, if it’s about the God who wants to be with us, and if it’s about the God that comes to our rescue . . . In other words, the God who is far more important than all the other things added together (and multiplied many times), then the thing that Jesus’s example tells us is that it OK to be focussed or single-minded. Indeed, any other response would just not be appropriate at all.
2. The Calling
The second thing one could say, as a consequence of that, relates to our individual calling. Because regarding politics, part of a Christian’s calling is to be involved in politics to some degree. We are to care for the poor; to try to make life equitable for all. And that will necessarily involve the legislative side in addition to the hands-on help. Regarding conservation, we all have a part to play as well. Because right from the beginning of creation, God gave mankind the responsibility to care for the things that he’d created. And regarding a new born baby, yes, we need to make sure that the baby is cared for, loved, and nurtured. And all of these we may feel called to, to some degree.
However, when it comes to religion, yes, there may be some who may feel called to take on various roles within the church. However, just as Jesus took seriously his role to be the itinerant preacher—and that was what he was doing as went on his way to Jerusalem—and just as Jesus wouldn’t allow anything to get in the way from stopping him carrying out his God given role, so too should we take seriously the God given roles we have been given to play too.
3. The Message
And the third thing one could say, relates to the message we have been given to share. Now regarding politics, for sure there are some very important issues regarding the need to make things equitable and just. Regarding conservation, the need to educate people in terms of the importance of preserving the planet—and our dependence upon maintaining the quality of air, water, life, and resources—is of utmost importance too. And with bringing up a new born baby, it is important to teach a child how to live, to teach it right from wrong, how to get on with other people, and generally prepare that child for the world outside.
But regarding religion, yes it may be important to pass on some traditions. But one thing above all of these things surely is much more important. And that is the message that God has given to us all: that he created us; that he cares for us; and most importantly, that despite our faults and failings, that he has given us a way that guarantees eternal life with him. And that is through faith in Jesus Christ.
Now surely, that was the message that Jesus came to bring and the reason that he came to die. And if that’s not enough reason to be truly one-eyed, single-minded, devoted, or whatever other word you want to call it—committed absolutely to the one cause—then I don’t know what is. Indeed if we haven’t become so focussed or single-minded about that one thing alone, then maybe we should sit ourselves down and question just where our loyalties lie? Because it is the one thing, above all, that Jesus was devoted to in this story. And it is the one thing, above all else, that we should be devoted to as well.
D. PRACTICE
So, there’s a reason for the importance of being single-minded when it comes to the Christian faith. Having said that, there is a right way and a wrong way to be single-minded in our devotion to our Lord. And we need to take that into account as well.
And how do we know what is the right and what is the wrong way? Well, again, although this passage does not give us a comprehensive list, it does deliver us with a number of clues.
1. Removing the Obstacles
And the first is that Jesus expressed a real concern for anyone who had not totally dedicated their lives to God. And Jesus committed himself to help remove the obstacles that people found in their way.
In his discussion with the Pharisees. Jesus told them that not only was he not going to be diverted from his task but, as part of his task, he was going to continue to drive out demons from any person who was demon possessed.
Now, in our own culture, demon possession may not be as evident as it is, say, in countries like Indonesia or even of the Palestine of Jesus’s day. However, it is not totally absent either. But more importantly, the principle that people have obstacles that need to be removed in order that they can accept Jesus is very much an everyday event. Obstacles like selfishness, possessions, family expectations etc.
And taking the principle that Jesus outlined, standing on a street corner and spouting the gospel to a nameless crowd may not be the appropriate way to introduce people to the gospel. However, getting up beside people and helping them to remove their obstacles, in order that their hindrances can be replaced with the living God, may well be in order.
2. Caring for People’s Needs
The second thing is that Jesus expressed a real concern for caring for people’s needs. Indeed, in his discussion with the Pharisees he not only told them he would cast out demons but that he would heal the sick as well.
Jesus was well aware of the fact that people who have other concerns and needs are not going to be as receptive as they might be to the gospel. Yes, Jesus may have been considered at the time a great miracle worker and the healer of the sick, but beyond the miracles, beyond the proofs of who he really was, Jesus showed the basic need to show compassion, to help people where they hurt, and at their point of need. And we need to do the same.
After all, the gospel isn’t just a bit of mumbo jumbo which after church has finished can be packed up and forgotten until we come to church next time. The gospel is real and active, and it is important that the compassion of God is reflected in our lives on a daily basis too
3. Caring For the Lost
And the third thing is that Jesus expressed a real concern for those who could not accept the Christian way.
For sure he harangued the leaders—those who misused their responsibilities; those who should have known better. And he told them in no uncertain terms the facts of life because they had led the people astray. But regarding the ordinary everyday people who just couldn’t accept him . . . Well, after he dismissed the Pharisees, didn’t he mourn for them? He didn’t just dismiss the common people and tell them to go away. No! He was deeply saddened by the fact that they refused to accept all the good things that he had to offer. He may have felt deeply their rejection of God but, more than that, he was deeply concerned for them because of the consequences of their rejection and their inevitable fate.
E. CONCLUSION
When a person is singled out as being either very focussed or single-minded, then, it can often be seen as something negative—as though someone hasn’t got it all together or as if someone needs to get a life. However, when it comes to Jesus, being single-minded is an attribute that should be highly prized.
What this gospel story tells us, then, is that if we are truly Christians we should be very focussed on the faith and single-minded about it. And that is far from being a negative attribute. Indeed, it is part and parcel of what it means to be a person of faith.
And that is so because the cause of God far outweighs any other. Indeed, all Christians are called to exercise their ministries to the fullest of their abilities. The message of the good news of salvation should make us unwavering in our need to express and share the faith. And if we aren’t like that then maybe we need to question the depth and our commitment to the faith.
Having said that, there are right and wrong ways to do it. And Jesus demonstrated some very practical and helpful ways: the need to help people remove their obstacles to faith; the need to care for people’s hurts and needs; and the need for compassion that extends to even those who are lost and want nothing to do with the faith.
And that whole package, of being single-minded for Jesus, is not only the example that Jesus has set for every one of us, but is the goal to which every one of us should try to attain.
Posted: 1st September 2024
© 2024, Brian A Curtis
www.brianacurtis.com.au
