Luke 9:57-62
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As you read Luke 9:57-62 keep in mind what we have seen in the last few passages about the disciples’ lack of understanding about what it means to follow Jesus.
Jesus is the master of teachable moments. He has already shown that true discipleship is not a membership to an exclusive club nor is it an invitation to violence and retribution towards those who reject him. Now on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus takes three interactions and turns them into lessons.
Meditate on each of these interactions separately and notice how Jesus’ responses speak to you.
“As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.’”
The first person approaches Jesus in a burst of unexamined enthusiasm. But Jesus explains that he is fully dependent on God for the very basics of life, and it is this kind of complete dependence to which he calls his followers.
Take a moment to consider the basis for your devotion to Jesus. Talk honestly with him about this.
“He said to another person, ‘Come, follow me.’ The man agreed, but he said, ‘Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.’ But Jesus told him, ‘Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.’”
The second person gives verbal assent to Jesus’ invitation but lets Jesus know that the time is not convenient. Jesus points out that the right time to follow him is now. If we have divided loyalties that are keeping us from Jesus, we may just miss our opportunity to know and follow him.
Stop to contemplate where your loyalties lie and share your thoughts openly with Jesus.
“Another said, ‘Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.’ But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’”
The third person is just seeking a small delay before he or she continues to follow Jesus. But Jesus points out that distractions can be perilous. Once the blade of the plow is in the ground a slight change in direction ruins the precision of rows.
Take a moment to consider what may be distracting you from your commitment to Jesus. Then get still and listen to him.
What is Jesus saying to you today through these three interactions?
What do you plan to do about that?
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