In his sermon, On Friendship with the World, John Wesley said, “Whatever it cost, flee spiritual adultery. Have no
friendship with the world. However tempted thereto by profit or pleasure,
contract no intimacy with worldly-minded [people].” Jesus illustrated this principle in his
dangerous interchange with the members of his hometown synagogue. At first, things seemed to go well. He did the Scripture reading. He promised that the Scripture was being
fulfilled. But then doubt set in: “Isn’t
this Joseph’s son? Hey, didn’t we grow
up with his sisters and brothers?” If
the people of his hometown had their way, it would have ended with homicide.
When
we follow God’s agenda, there will be a parting of ways with “worldly-minded
people.” We cannot please everyone. We cannot always follow a path that leads to
worldly praise and success. We cannot
please God and all people. The part of
this Scripture that hooks me is: “But he passed through the midst of them and
went on his way.” Jesus perceived the
tension. Jesus knew they were not
trusting in him. They kind of like what
he said. But they could not see past the
familiarity they had with him.
Sooner or later, if we follow Jesus,
there will be a parting with the world and its agenda. This is often painful because it is not
played out in abstract ways but with people we know, people we interact
with. As Jesus warns, it may even be
with brothers, sisters, mother, or father.
It may be with friends we have known for many years. What I speak of is not a reckless or prideful
rejection but a prayerful and deliberate walk.
It is a walk that ultimately leads us to a cross . . . and to an empty
tomb. It is a walk that we share with
others who have chosen to not be friends with the world. It is a walk that will lead us through many
dark valleys and many mountaintops. It
is a walk that will lead us . . . home.
How is God calling you to go on Jesus’ way today?
