From the moment we enter kindergarten we are told that if we work hard, follow the rules, keep looking ahead, and set goals, we will be rewarded. Good grades in high school will get us into a good college. Graduate at the top of the class and we will get a good job. Work hard, keep our noses to the grindstone and a better position and a bigger paycheck will come our way. Politically we may live in a democracy, but personally and professionally, we want to live in a meritocracy.

In this week’s gospel text Jesus continues with the series of stories and sayings that began in 13:10, interrupting the flow of Luke’s journeying-to-Jerusalem motif. In verse 11 he will once again be “on the way.” But in this week’s concluding lessons, Jesus describes to his disciples how differently the kingdom wi…