Jesus Says: Follow Me!
The Gospel of Luke was written to explain Jesus to people living in the pagan culture of the Roman Empire. The first eight chapters of Luke’s “Life of Jesus” focus on who Jesus is. The last ten chapters of the book ask the question: If Jesus is the Son of God, what does it mean to follow him? I’d like to turn your attention to what Jesus has to say about following him, discipleship.
Let me point out that everyone follows something. Everyone has a purpose, a plan, an agenda regarding how their life is lived. Perhaps you have a plan for making money, investing it and retiring with as much wealth as possible. Perhaps you are looking for love. If so, you will search for the right person who will love you and fulfill that desire for love. We all have plans. Some plans are carefully considered and executed, others are haphazard or rarely thought through. As we consider what Jesus says about discipleship, understand that God has a plan for you and your life. Many people miss a major truth when they fail to understand that they were made by God and that God’s plan is the best one for their life.
Luke, in chapter 9 of his “Life of Jesus," shares some very challenging words spoken by Jesus regarding what it takes to be a follower (disciple) of his. Consider these words of Scripture from
Luke 9:57-62 >> As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
As Jesus details what discipleship involves, he begins by saying that following him will require each person to set a new priority. As Jesus talks to these three men, he discerns that each man has a wrong priority. They might be saying the right words — “Yes Jesus, I want to follow you," but Jesus sees a hidden allegiance. Jesus knows that these men are not sold out for him and his agenda. Jesus perceives that the first man is used to comfort, so Jesus asks if the man is willing to follow him even though he cannot offer the man a place to stay. When he looks at the other two men, Jesus sees conflict as well. These men have family obligations. One is most likely the oldest son, and it will be his job to lead the family business when his father dies. The other man says that he needs to go back and say farewell to his family. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying the comforts of life, taking care of one’s family, or taking the time to say a farewell, Jesus is pointing out the dangers of incorrect priorities. Notice the language of the men. Two of the three men reply to Jesus, “First, let me go. . ." Jesus is saying that when it comes to discipleship, he must be first. Discipleship requires that we make Jesus a priority over everything. Nothing can be hidden or held back. Money, personal ambition, comfort, family obligations, careers — nothing can come ahead of God.
To bring home this truth Jesus uses a metaphor that everyone in his audience understood but few understand today. Jesus said following him is like plowing a field. Back in that day, when a field was plowed, it required uncompromising attention. As the farmer followed the ox (or whatever animal was pulling the plow) he had to stay focused on the hard rocky soil. To look away would risk hitting a rock and breaking the plow. Seed could not be wasted by an improperly lined furrow. The farmer had to focus on the job at hand. Jesus made it clear to all who heard him that there could be no competing agendas. The call to follow Jesus demands that he (God) has first place in our lives. In a world where we are told that everything is about us, putting God first is a difficult task. As I conclude, let me encourage you to ask yourself: Have I placed Jesus first in my life? Join me next week as we talk more about following Jesus and being his disciple. Keep looking up!