Knowing The Word in Luke 9:57-62

The Cost of Following Jesus

9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Comments

Luke recorded three different responses to Jesus’ invitation to individuals to follow him. The man’s response showed he did not understand the nature of the demands the kingdom makes on people. The second man learned that the demands of the kingdom are more urgent than the traditions of burial. The third man offered his services to Jesus but with conditions. Jesus is not interested in anyone’s conditions.

Application

Why do we put conditions on our offers to serve Jesus? Years ago as a young architect, I decided to give back to my church because of all that it had done for me by offering myself as a Sunday school teacher. I told the priest, who oversaw children and youth, that I would teach any grade sixth and under. He came back to me with an offer to teach seventh and eighth. I told him I would pray about it. And I did. As I prayed the Lord asked me why I would put conditions on my offer. I ended up teaching the seventh and eighth graders and had the time of my life. Is there a place in your life where you are holding back from serving God because of conditions you have made?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you love us unconditionally. Knowing this, help us to serve you and one another unconditionally.