THE UNSEEN BEAUTY OF MOVING BACKWARD (LUKE 9.51-56)

• Few days ago in one of Surrey parks, Keiko and I saw a truck moving backward collecting garbage. She asked me a simple question, ‘Dad, why is that garbage truck moving backward?’ I did not think too long to respond to her question, ‘The truck is moving backward, so it can leave the playground by moving forward without necessarily making a turn; the size of the track is too narrow for the truck to make a turn.’ Our situations are often similar to the above illustration. Our track often limits us from always moving forward. The space is often too narrow for us to make a turn. There are times when we need to retreat. It sounds awful, but it helps us to move forward better in the future.

• Instead of forcing the leaders of the Samaritan village to open the gate for the group, Jesus decided to make a detour (9. 56). Jesus did move backward. Jesus was willing to give up his original arrangement for different village. Jesus however did not change his commitment for Jerusalem. In our modern expression, mission is not changeable, but strategy is. When one methodology is locked, mission often is not successfully accomplished. Flexibility is always smart. Yielding is therefore not always discouraging. In the case of this narrative, Jesus was willing to submit to the local human authority, and it avoided unnecessary conflicts between Jesus, his disciples and the Samaritans. Moving forward against strong opposition will often result not in success but in destruction. When our way is blocked, God may want to show us: (1) a better way (we might not be able to see) to achieve the goal; (2) a broader and more holistic picture of God’s mission (we often tend to be too narrow on this issue); (3) that we need a rest to regain energy to fulfilling God’s calling well.

• Jesus here was practicing a humble leadership. Although he could, Jesus did not exercise his authority as the Son of God to destroy the village (9.54-55). Leadership and authority are for Jesus servant hood and humility. When the leaders of the village refused to welcome Jesus (9.53), he simply accepted the rejection. Jesus knew the village belonged to a community different from his. Contrast to the attitude of John and James (9.54), Jesus respected the decision made by the village leadership. Though Jesus himself was the standard of righteousness (since he himself is God), he appreciated differences. Pride and intolerant are characters foreign to Jesus. A step to retreat is not always a foolish decision to make; often it shows manners, politeness and humility. Retreat is thus a time to remember that (1) we are here for God, because of God and with God; (2) God’s way is different from ours, and his wisdom is higher than our wisdom. An act of retreat, especially in Luke 9.51-56 does also serve as an exemplary character and moral of a total humility not only before God, but also before men (and women) of this world.