Redeemer Lutheran Church

1106 Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy

Shreveport, LA  71105

(318) 868-5778

Pastor Perry Culver

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WHOM WILL YOU FOLLOW?

Many times in life, we come to a position where we have a tough choice to make. History has made some of these choices extremely famous. These choices have been a matter of life or death. It is a point that you must stand up for what you believe in. These decisions are often referred to as a "line drawn in the sand". One such famous line drawn in the sand was at the Alamo. Whether or not there was a line actually drawn, it has been said that when the battle of the Alamo was about to start, a line was drawn in the sand and if you were willing to give your life and fight for the cause, to step across the line. Stepping across the line most likely meant death, and it did in the case of the Alamo. Another line drawn in the sand was with Martin Luther. There was no line drawn, but he came to a point of a life or death decision. In 1521, Luther stood in the assembly of the Imperial Diet of Worms and he was challenged to recant his heresies, that is the false teachings the Catholic Church accused him. In Luther’s day, people were killed for going against the Catholic Church. We live in a country with free speech and freedom of religion. Luther did not have Free Speech or Freedom of Religion. He knew if he did not recant his writings, the Church would have him killed. This is where Luther drew a line in the sand (figuratively). Luther’s famous answer still stands to this day, he stated: "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me! Amen." The path he took led to chaos in the Roman Church and as a result, we have the Lutheran Church today along with numerous protestant denominations.

When it comes to your faith, "Where will you go? Whom will you follow?" The Old Testament reading shows another stance being taken. Joshua was challenging the people to reject all other gods and serve the Lord only.

The question echoes today, "What is your God?" Is it money, your kids, sex, sleep, drugs, football, ....?" Does work carry a higher priority than God? Does your wife, children or family have a higher priority than God? Take a look at what consumes your time, or money, or takes you away from God. In the gospel lesson for today, Jesus also addresses the issue of "Who will you follow?"

It is helpful to recall what has happened in a matter of a few days time: the feeding of 5,000, the discussion of the miracle, the bread of life statements, and Jesus’ encouragement to eat and drink him. Jesus had quite a crowd following him and they were having a hard time understanding is teaching that you are to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Scripture tells us:

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

It is interesting that those who saw and heard Jesus were having a hard time accepting this teaching. When we are out in Shreveport and Bossier City telling people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, there will be many who cannot accept this teaching. We think: "If only Jesus were here, then they would believe!" Well Jesus did teach these people and they were having a hard time accepting the teaching from Christ himself. Even if we had Jesus with us to explain everything, not everyone is going to accept the message, but we are still to take the message to all people. Scripture continues:

Jesus is God. Jesus knows all things. He knows what they are grumbling about. He even verbally addresses the issue by asking them "Does this offend you?" Jesus then continues to set them up with a question that they will not believe, but will hear about in the future. He states:

The people who are doubting Christ teaching are doubting God himself. Jesus question sounds farfetched when he asks "What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!" That would be heaven, and Jesus knows that He will ascend to heaven and it will be witnessed by many. He has also set them up to witness the Ascension of Christ. I wonder how many of those listening to Christ recalled this question He asked them, much like Peter hearing the cock crow and pointing out his denial of Christ?

Jesus points out that it is not the flesh, but the Word of God that offers eternal life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s word brings life.

Jesus knew that there would be doubters. Jesus knew that there would be many that would reject his teaching, which is the Word of God. Jesus continues and points out that the ability to believe in Christ comes from God alone.

The reason you believe today is because the Holy Spirit is working in your life through God’s Word. It is God who has created faith. The Word you are hearing today are the same Word that Christ spoke to the crowds. Many who heard God’s Word from Christ himself still rejected God. Rejection means that you do not have eternal life. Acceptance means you will have eternal life. This again sounds like you have to make a choice and that Salvation rest in your decision and not God’s. Let’s not forget that it was God coming to us in our Baptism, His Word, and the Lord’s Supper that enables us to follow Christ. Scripture tells us that many turned back and no longer followed Him. Jesus knew this was going to happen and then He turns to the 12 Apostles and asks: 67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?"

Jesus was figuratively drawing a line in the sand when He asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave. I don’t know how fast Jesus got his answer. The Twelve had just watched all the followers turn around and walk away. They had to feel like outcasts, but they were at a point that they must hold to their beliefs and convictions. Their answer came from Simon Peter.

The line in the sand has been drawn for us too, but I see your answer when I look out into the sanctuary. You are still here! You have heard the Word of God read and preached today. It is God’s Word that works faith in you and you have eternal life through Jesus Christ! We all have our doubts about Christ because we are sinful human beings. Even Thomas doubted Christ’s resurrected body and wanted to see the nail holes. What was Christ’s Words to Thomas? In John 20:29, "Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.""

Thomas believed because he saw Jesus, but you are blessed because you have not physically seen Jesus, yet you believe. We give thanks to God for our saving Faith; Faith that He has given us. It is that same Faith that also gives us Eternal life. We rejoice that our answer, much like Simon Peter’s

AMEN