Luke and the challenge of following

(Lk.9:57-62)
In the preceding passage, Jesus has rebuked His apostles for their self-serving attitudes. This portion now deals with those who would follow Jesus.

Man #1
In this case, the man decides to follow Jesus. I wonder if he had seen what Jesus could do and what He was teaching and thought to himself that maybe this could be something that might be interesting to do? But "being interested" is never enough!

Jesus, whilst not turning him away, asks him to realize the cost that is involved in following Him "wherever You go". There will be times when you might have do without creature comforts. Places to sleep and food to eat may end up being sought for luxuries!

Our context is different, yet the same call of cost is attached to being followers of Christ. And, oh, how modern disciples love their creature comforts! I wonder if so many could truly say, "I will follow You wherever You go" - how about just to the next prayer meeting?!!

Man #2
This time Jesus calls the man, although he has a problem - he's got a dead father to bury! In those days, a burial was more important than any ritual: even more than the Sabbath preparations or Passover. So for a man to leave a burial, it would have to be something very urgent!

Jesus is letting him know the urgency of the Kingdom of God - it is more urgent than anything of ours that we feel is urgent. We just have to start that new job, or buy that new house, or begin that new relationship, or even embark on a new apostolic mission and ministry venture - many of our urgent things can actually wait (and maybe many of them should!), but we have to have that acknowledgement in our hearts that the gospel takes precedence.

Man #3
Someone else has declared an interest in following Jesus. In Jewish society it was accepted practice for some men to follow after Rabbis - perhaps this man thought he would be "of the school of Jesus". But he wasn't quite sure of the calling - the family back home still pulled at his heart-strings.

Jesus needed to tell him that the gospel is decisive - it requires making radical decisions, even to putting aside that which is familiar, comfortable and secure. Dilly-dallying will be of no use in the Kingdom. We have to make up our minds and go for it! The line from Star Wars comes to mind when Yoda states: "There is no try - do, or do not!"

Costly, urgent, decisive - the Kingdom demands our full attention and all of our life. We cannot be an effective follower of Jesus without these.