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Followers of Jesus Canon Graeme Winterton at Holy Trinity Kew - Epiphany 2 - 15th. January 2017

Gospel: John 1:29-42 From Advent through Christmas it has been fascinating to observe the large number of familiar characters who have made their appearance in the Gospel readings. They all play a part as witnesses to the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth as the true Messiah. Their reactions and relationship with him are reported. Many were overcome by the enormity of the revelation and responded with great joy. Some were doubtful and sceptical whilst a powerful clique was determined to discredit and annihilate him. We have followed the reactions of some; in particular John the Baptist and St. Peter. They remain as role models and exemplars of faithful discipleship and followers of our Lord to this day.

From the very beginning of his public ministry Jesus selected people to whom he revealed his true identity as the Son of the Eternal Father. He called them to be disciples, to follow him, to learn from him with a view to commissioning them to proclaim the good news of redemption and eternal life he was born to accomplish.

We may well be surprised at the people Jesus chose. Many of them would probably been quickly ruled out by modern recruiting agents as unsuitable and some as being of questionable character. However, the call to discipleship was not confined to the noble and worthy or to the opening period of his public life.

Jesus challenged a number of people whom he met with the words – “Follow me.” Some are well known- particularly the call to the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, John and James to whom he said Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Others selected as disciples met the same challenge. Matthew the Tax Collector - ‘Follow Me.. Jesus found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’

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I - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

Is it to be a person who seeks to live according to Jesus’ ethical teachings?

I suspect that if you were to push many of the altruistic socially involved people of our society right back to the unspoken inner motives and presuppositions for their good works they would in reality, consciously or unconsciously, be seeking eternal life by trying to live according to ethical teachings.

This appears to have been the object of the rich young nobleman! Perhaps this appealing young man was wanting to win public approval from Jesus. Let’s be charitable and say his motives were pure! Whatever his motive Jesus’ answer is the same - “Sell everything- give it all to the poor. Take up you cross and follow me.” The statement has frequently been turned into a formula to define discipleship and to guarantee divine approval and blessing. To do so is to miss the point. Jesus is testing him.

First of all Jesus tested understanding and asked him if he kept the Mosaic Law“Yes, he replied- ever since I was a child, what other rules must I keep to receive eternal life?” Then Jesus tested motive and led him to see where his heart really lay and challenged the core of his being: “If you want to be perfect go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven.”

In essence Jesus said to him. ‘Young man, your heart is not in it! Order your priorities-keeping the law and all the good works in the world never earn eternal life.

Put your relationship with me first! Then come and be my disciple.’ This interchange ended with the young man turning away and with Jesus saying to his disciples “It is harder for the rich to enter the kingdom than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” Following the rules doesn’t secure eternal life - seeking meaning in outward performance leads to self delusion and terrible bondage. No, to be a follower of Jesus does not depend upon living according to ethical teachings.

II - IS A FOLLOWER ONE WHO SACRIFICES ALL THINGS TO LIVE AS JESUS LIVED ?

There are numerous current and historical examples: Have you ever have come across people whom you might have mistaken for hippies but, when you dig a little deeper, discover that they see themselves as doing what the rich young ruler failed to do. They believe that by literally giving up everything and copying the life style of Jesus they will discover the secret of life and gain heaven.

Undoubtedly the heart of the contemporary shift to new or alternative spiritualities is possessed of the same motivation as have so many other movements throughout history. People seek to escape the tyrannies and abuses of an imperfect world in the belief that a new order based upon the life of Jesus, the gospels, and the early church will usher in the kingdom of God. Followers of Jesus

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• One of the clearest examples is that of the American Pilgrim Fathers. They sailed to the new world with a vision of a new society. We know the end result. The terrible tyranny of a legalistic way of life which regulated every person’s thinking and movement and ended up with the excommunications, witch hunts and executions of Salem in Massachusetts.

Most of us see the futility of these attempts - more from obvious impracticality than philosophical commitment. However we need to care for our young people in particular who are seeking meaning and turning to alternative understandings in droves today.

We need to be authentic disciples to point the way for those who search. No! To be a follower of Jesus does not mean copying his life style or seeking to live according to his ethical teachings.

III - BEING A FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS ABOUT MOTIVE AND COMMITMENT The Gospel also tells of three men who had little understanding of the cost of discipleship. Priorities are a key issue. Jesus could be quite blunt when people made excuses. • ‘One was a home body unable to let go his insecurities and narrow world view enough to open himself up to the freedoms of the way of the Spirit. Jesus told him that “foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” • The second said let me first bury my father. The man was so tied to family obligation that wanted to wait until the family inheritance was settled. Jesus said, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ • The third man had good intentions but hadn’t counted the cost - he would not last the distance. ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family. Jesus said, “Anyone who begins to plough and looks back is of no use to the kingdom of God.” IV - THE FIRST DISCIPLES KNEW WHAT IT MEANT TO FOLLOW JESUS They experienced discipleship as a process which became clear over time. It began with a call which demanded a response and led to new insights and growth in understanding.

• They were called directly by Jesus. Obedience to his call and the impact of his life led to dramatic change in their understanding. It brought about a new mind set and life style. They literally walked everywhere with him - They observed his behavior, they absorbed his teaching.

• They were commissioned. You are witnesses of these things. Go to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples.

• They were imbued and filled with his Spirit. I will send upon you the promise of the Father, but wait until the power from above comes upon you. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you and I will be with you always to the end of the age.”

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V - DISCIPLESHIP TODAY

Jesus Christ calls every Christian to be a disciple in their own generation.

His strategy has not changed. Recall the opening statement: “From the very beginning of his public ministry Jesus selected people to whom he revealed his true identity as the Son of the Eternal Father. He called them to be disciples, to follow him, to learn from him with a view to commissioning them to proclaim the good news of redemption and eternal life he was born to accomplish.”

Every Christian is called to discipleship. You and I are called to learn of him and to walk with him – to live a holy God honouring life, just where we are, because discipleship always means putting God at the centre of our lives.

Jesus Christ calls us personally. The call to follow is unchanged. Leave your nets, leave your accounts, leave your family, leave your wealth, leave your position, leave your pride and self sufficiency - come follow me, be my disciple.

To those unwilling to pay the price Jesus quietly uttered some of the saddest words found in scripture – “You are not far from the Kingdom.” He implied that the person knew the way but was unwilling to step over the line and surrender command of their soul to God. When you and I choose to put Jesus at the centre of our lives we discover a Godly paradox. Surrender leads to freedom! Jesus said, “whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” The response really is over to you.

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