Luke 9:57-62 Count The Cost

In Luke’s narrative Jesus is getting ready to send out a large contingent of disciples. Today’s passage seems to be His last buildup before the dispersal. Jesus makes it clear to all who want to join Him in His mission that it is not an easy ride.

Jesus has become famous from one end of Israel to the other and beyond. People come to see Him everywhere He goes. Miracles of healing and release flow at every opportunity. Food abounds at His command. Even His followers are performing miracles! Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?

To the outside observer, following Jesus looks very appealing. This may have been before His teachings became harder; especially the one about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. He lost a lot of popularity and a lot of followers that day.

The three encounters that Luke points out may be typical for the whole group following Jesus. I noticed that only one person in the three was called by Jesus to join the group. The other two approached Jesus instead.

The first man to approach Jesus did so as Jesus and His disciples were walking along. Where were they on their way to and from? What prompted this man to vow to follow Jesus? Had he or someone close to him, recently received something from Jesus? Had he been listening to Jesus’ teachings? Was his offer out of gratitude or understanding?

What was it that prompted Jesus to respond to him with the words He used? Did the man appear too well-dressed or wealthy to be sleeping out under the stars? Jesus knows the hearts and minds of men, so maybe He knew that this man was too used to the creature comforts to be suitable for Jesus’ current activities. So what became of this man? Would he become part of the church later? After Jesus’ ascension there were other opportunities that didn’t involve going from place to place all the time. Did he follow Jesus’ teachings then?

The second person Luke tells us about is the one Jesus called specifically. This person was willing, but not yet ready. He wanted to wait until a more opportune time. I have heard it taught that this saying of “let me first go an bury my father” didn’t mean the man’s father had just died, but that he wanted to wait until after his father died before leaving on assignment for Jesus. That could have been a day to hundreds of days later. I don’t know if this is accurate or not, but Jesus wanted this man in the field now instead of later. I wonder why that was. Was the man currently “on fire for Jesus” and delaying would have quenched his spirit? Was it because if he found one excuse workable another one would easily take its place?

Was Jesus’ comment about the dead burying the dead meant to reference spiritually dead burying the physically dead? In my mind’s eye I see a son who is holding himself back from making any kind of move away from an overshadowing father. The son has learned a lot from Jesus but is afraid to step out, least his father criticize him. Jesus is telling him to stand up and boldly share the gospel. I may be mistaken but that is what I’m envisioning for this man.

The last man identified by Luke also asks to follow Jesus. He also wants to do something before setting out on his new life with Jesus. He says he wants to say goodbye to his parents. Was this a lengthy goodbye, like the burying might have been in the above example? Or was it a quick grab you stuff and go?

Both of our last two men wanted to do something first before stepping out into ministry with Jesus. I was wondering why Jesus didn’t say the same thing about putting your hand to the plow and turning back to the first person too. I’m thinking it was because the last one said he was ready, except…. The earlier one said he wasn’t ready, but was called to go immediately anyway.

These two men reminded me of getting ready to go on a trip. The first man is in the house looking around to make sure he hasn’t left anything undone. He keeps going from room to room making sure he has packed everything he could possibly need, turned off all the appliances, picked up all the toys from the floor, etc., etc., etc. It looks like he is NEVER going to get to the door. The family is waiting by the door ready to go while he continues to check. They are becoming frustrated and wonder if he really wants to leave at all.

The second man has packed everything he needed, turned off the appliances and lights and loaded up the car. He puts his key in the ignition and starts the motor. Out the driveway they go. Headed for a grand destination when suddenly he remembers something he forgot to do. He turns the car around and heads back home to do that one remaining thing. Who knows how long that is going to take!

So all three of our men found out that following Jesus was going to require some sacrifices. The first one would lack some creature comforts. The second one would be set apart spiritually from some of their own family members. The last one would need to make firm decisions and not waffle afterwards. These same things hold true for us today. Accepting Jesus is not like taking an aspirin tablet and all the pain goes away. Instead it is like stepping onto the battle field. However, you get the best armor, the most experienced Commanding Officer, and the victory at the end is MORE than worth the risks.

Father God, sometimes I exhibit one of these rejected behaviors. I procrastinate in starting something You have told me to do. Or I start something and then get distracted by something else and put the original calling on hold. And I have more than once lamented the fact that my life is not always easy. But You have loved me through all these issues and patiently brought me back to where You wanted me. Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You too for being in my life so obvious that I can’t miss You. I see Your hand in so many things! I KNOW Your truth and wouldn’t trade it for anything this world has to offer. I wish my children could see You as clearly. Lord Jesus that is my prayer for them. Help them see the truth so clearly that they can’t deny it at all.