Do you have a favourite journey, a road or railway journey that is never boring however often you take it? Filled with memories maybe, or overlooking a beautiful landscape or with a view of some grand castle or cathedral.
One of my favourite journies is along the M40 passing through the Chiltern cutting and passing through the Oxfordshire countryside which stretches away for miles on either side of the motorway. Or maybe even more beautiful is the stretch of the A303, not everyone's favourite I know, but as you get past the bottleneck at Stonehenge there are wonderful views across the hills to the south as far as Shaftesbury.
You may have guessed why these are some of my favourite journies, they are all along roads that I take home or go on holiday. Living and working in Oxfordshire the M40 passed right down the middle of my parishes and in Dorset, famous for not having any motorways, it is our holiday highway!
The journey that Jesus sets out on is in one sense a journey home for Jesus is going to Jerusalem, and as events unfold, to his home in heaven, but here in this world he tells his disciples he has no home, nowhere to rest. Stanley Spencer captures the essence of these words as he portrays Jesus, arms outstretched as on the Cross, travelling through a barren landscape with only the foxes for company. But notice, though he has no home of his own his outstretched arms have sleeves big enough to make a home for the foxes! Jesus though he has no home of his own invites his companions to make their home in Him.
Today our reading takes us on a journey along a road where we meet three characters one eager to follow Jesus the others more hesitant, to each one he offers a challenge “Come join me as a homeless traveller” and an encouragement, “and I will bring you home” none are turned away. None are condemned all are invited on the journey.
But the first group he meets on the road are the Samaritans, they resolutely refuse to follow him and the disciples are keen to condemn but Jesus rebukes the zealous disciples. He will not condemn those who follow another faith and as we learn from the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ Jesus commends them for their neighbourly love to the stranger.
There are others who would-be followers, ready to sacrifice all. Surely Jesus would welcome them to his band, but his words are a warning to those who would commit themselves that this is a journey that involves leaving home and becoming a traveller like him.
Then there are those who are cautious. They have family commitments that they fear will keep them from giving themselves wholeheartedly to the life of a follower of Jesus. His words to the cautious are an encouragement to trust him, he will give us a home. “Go and announce the Kingdom of God” Luke 9: 60 for that is our true home.
Then there are those who would follow Jesus part-time. It is an interesting offer that Jesus makes and worth exploring they say, but there are so many other interesting offers that must be explored. ‘Let’s see how it goes. Here Jesus gives a warning: There can only be one home for those who follow Jesus:
“No one who puts his hand to the plough and then looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” Luke 9: 62.
Four different types of people: It takes all types to make a Church and Jesus holds the door open to all of us. Jesus continues to attract discussion and disagreement amongst us all today. His life and teaching are still centre stage in the debates about how we should live. For each one Jesus has a word, “Come and join me and make your home with me, my arms are big enough for all” To each he gives time, refusing to condemn, always challenging, inviting us to consider how life might be if we followed him and made our home in Him.
We have no idea how each of responded to Jesus' invitation, it is not for us to judge or condemn, but only to consider how we ourselves respond to the challenge of Jesus' invitation.
For Stanley Spencer, there was only one true home. At his memorial service at St James’s Piccadilly on 27th January 1960, the Revd M Westropp said:
‘He told my wife that dying and reaching heaven would be a sense of relief being safe again, of being home where one belongs’
Rev. Simon Brignall
We continue to pray for healing in our lives, both of body, mind and soul, remembering especially Rory, Adam and David.
Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice
we pray for the people of Ukraine today,
and the laying down of weapons.
we pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war and peace,
for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions
Above all, we pray for all your precious children at risk and in fear,
That you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen
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