The Bible Text (Luke 9:57-62)

9:57 “And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” 60 But he said, “Permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61 And another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 (from NASB).

An Introduction (Luke 9:57-62)

We gain a great deal of insight when we carefully listen to what Jesus expected when He called the disciples to follow Him. In the Bible study below, we will find our common description of a Christian is not quite the same as Jesus' description. What are we to do when we find a descrepancy?

The Preparation of our Heart (Luke 9:57-62)

Missions is such key part of Jesus’ message that it reaches down and touches each of our lives. Our commitment to missions reflects our commitment to our Lord.

Look at these encounters Jesus had with three of His disciples. They will help us to ready our hearts for the ministries Jesus has for us.

Luke 9:57-58 - Challenging the Comfortable Disciple

And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:57-58).

We are first rather surprised by the claim of one of Jesus’ followers when he seemingly out of the blue says, “I will follow You wherever you go.” They were just walking along the road, and this man blurts out this statement. Was this man reveling his experience being with Jesus? He could see miracles, hear the wise words of Christ and feel His tender touch. Although caught up in his euphoria, Jesus breaks in with an amazing statement about His life. “And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58).

Jesus ripped away the romanticism of what it meant to be with Him. He did not simply say wonderful. He was trying to help this follower understand that though it is nice to be together, share God’s love, see His power, there are rough parts to carrying out the Father’s will.

Just the other night I jumped into bed and snuck under the covers. I felt so tired and the bed and pillow was so soft. I really appreciated it and thanked the Lord for it, but at the moment I said it, I also had a prompting from the Spirit. He said, “You will still go and do what I want even if there are no pillows, will you not?” When I visit different countries, my brothers do their very best to care for me, but their standard is not what I am used to. I appreciate their love and all, but I am not comfortable and sometimes outright miserable. I answered the Lord’s quiet reminder by affirming I would go anywhere anytime. I cannot allow any material comfort or even the supposed promise of health keep me from going where Jesus sends.

Application

What about yourself? You like being a Christian, but do you share a willingness to go wherever Jesus sends you? Or is there some element of wealth, health, comfort or ease that might keep you from that commitment?

Luke 9:59-60 - Challenging the Convenient Disciple

“And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God”” (Luke 9:59-60).

After reading Luke 9:59, we see that the former man’s statement was not out of the blue at all. Notice how it carefully says, “He said to another.” Evidently Jesus had said it to one. Now He says it to another. Jesus had been telling His disciples to, “Follow me.” Jesus was waiting for their replies, one by one. How do you personally respond to Jesus’ command, “Follow me”?

The man here in Luke 9:59-60 said that he first had to go and bury his father. This sounds like a legitimate excuse. But from Jesus quick response, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God,” we quickly need to acknowledge that the man’s answer was not pleasing to the Lord. Why? Simply because Jesus told the man to follow Him.

The one willing to follow Jesus does not say, “I have this to do today, but tomorrow I can help you.” If you follow, then you go where Jesus goes. This man wanted to be a convenient follower. Convenient followers are not followers at all because they will only accompany Jesus when it is convenient for their schedules. Jesus challenged him to set his priorities in place.

You might wonder how does it work out practically? First comes the absolute commitment. If you mean to follow Jesus, then Jesus must come first place. The Lord wanted him and us to say an unqualified, “Yes” to Him and then follow Jesus. When we face issues in life, and they will come, we then as Christ’s disciples ask Jesus what we should do. In this case the man could have asked Jesus how he should care for his dead father.

Application

Do you tend to make bargains with those in authority over you? If so, you probably are one of these convenient disciples. These kind of disciples are not worth much. They are not there when you need them. They give the Lord the leftovers of their lives.

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Luke 9:61-62 Challenging the Distracted Disciple

“And another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”” (Luke 9:61-62).

Another brother also answered Jesus’ call to follow Him. He said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” Jesus did not accept his response either. “Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” What is happening here?

It appears (from Jesus’ response to him) that this disciple would allow little things to distract him. Again, he had the problem of the convenient disciple. Notice how he also said, “Permit me …” He was making bargains with the Master. We are only to do what Jesus says and not tell Him what we are to do.

The problem is that this man was really looking for an excuse not to follow. He wanted to keep his options open and be where he was interested. He undoubtedly liked Jesus. He would be a good Master, but he liked his family too. He is the distracted disciple who gets real excited and devoted for a while and then you do not see him for a while. He is off involved in some other matter.

Application

Jesus challenges the distracted disciple. Stay focused. Be committed. Find out what is so important and stay with it. The farmer who needs to drive the cow to plow the field must look to an object on the other side of the field and keep looking at it. If he turns his eyes to the side, then the plow line will follow that same direction. Following Jesus is a long term commitment. We must notice our tendencies to get distracted and determine in our hearts to follow Jesus.

Summary

We have a calling to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is a life call. It is the call to each one of us that names the Name of Jesus. We must not let comforts, convenience or our choices distract us from our devotion to Jesus. Most of us do not know what it means to follow Jesus. Once we do, then our whole lives will change and those around us will want to know more about Jesus. Without this life commitment, you stand at odds with Jesus. You are an idolater. You do not really love Jesus as the Lord but like Him only as a friend to come to when you have a need.

Jesus has a whole new life mapped out for His disciples. You need to closely follow Him to be on that path. Comforts, convenience and preserving our life choices always gets in the way of following Jesus. Do you renege on your love for God? How about now giving these three things up for the Lord?

Tell Him that I will go anywhere He wants, closely attend to what business He puts before you and stay consistent to Him all your life.

The Kingdom of God is comprised of Jesus’ disciples. This is the group of people who stand ready to unquestionably live out God’s commands. This is not missions but the readying of ourselves for missions. This commitment does not mean that He will involve you in some far flung adventure. He might want you home in your present house so that you can raise godly children. The point is that He is your Master, and you will follow Him. He has the best plan for your lives and knows best how your life can help others around the world.

By the way, if God does involve you in those far off adventures, like He has with me, you will not regret it. They are the opportunities of a life and beyond. Before we can go or stay, however, we must unequivocally follow Jesus.

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“And He (Jesus) said to another, “Follow Me.”” (Luke 9:60).

=> Bible Study Questions (Luke 9:57-62)
=> Next: Involvement of our Lives (Luke 10:1)

Other Reading

Thoughts on Making Disciples and on Christian Spiritual Growth
Defining Discipleship Training: Explaining Spiritual Growth
Walking with Jesus - Abiding in Christ series

Biblical Foundations for Freedom - Resources on the Gospel of Luke
INTRODUCTION TO CHRIST (Luke 1-3)
Luke Introduction pdf Luke Teaching Outline pdf Luke 1:26-38 Christmas Lights pdf Luke 1:45-55 Christmas Prayer pdf Luke 1:56-75 Notes pdf Luke 1:57-80 John's Birth pdf	Luke 2:1-20 Jesus' Birth pdf Luke 2:8-20 Good News pdf Luke 3:1-38 Jesus & John pdf Luke 3:21-38 Genealogy pdf
THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST (Luke 4-9:36)
Luke 5:27-32 Needy pdf Luke 5:33-35 Fasting Discipline pdf Luke 5:36-39 New-Wineskins pdf Luke 6:1-11 Sabbath pdf Luke 6:11-19 Character & Calling pdf Luke 7:1-10 Faith html Luke 7:11-17 Widow & Son html Luke 7:18-35 John the Baptist html Luke 7:36-50 Two-debtors html Luke 7:1-50 Faith pdf Luke 8:22-25 Storm-Stilled pdf Luke 8:26-39 Demoniac pdf Luke 8:40-56 Power-Death pdf	Luke 9:1-36 Handout Questions pdf Luke 9:1-10 Sending out Twelve html Luke 9:11-17 Feeding of 5000 html Luke 9:18-26 Life of Denial - Questions html Luke 9:27-36 Glory of Christ html Luke 9:37-48 Greatness pdf Luke 9:45-55 Pride & Leadership pdf Luke 9:57-62 Discipleship html | pdf | Questions html | pdf Luke 9:57-10:2 Mission Ready html | pdf {See NT Library for more} Luke 10:1 Mission Involvement html Luke 10:2a Mission Worldview html Luke 10:2b Prayer & missions html Luke 11:1-5 Content of Prayer pdf Luke 11:14-26 Participating in Prayer pdf Luke 11:14-28 Prayer Strategy pdf Luke 11:5-13 Persistent in Prayer pdf
INSTRUCTION IN VIEW OF CHRIST'S REJECTION (Luke 12-19:27)
Luke 12:25-26 A Perspective on Worry html Luke 13:1-5 Understanding Disasters html | pdf Luke 13:18-19 Mustard Seed pdf Luke 13:20-30 Leaven & Decisions pdf Luke 13:31-35 Mission Growth pdf Luke 14:1-14 Teaching html | pdf Luke 14:15-35 Commitment html | pdf Luke 15:1-2 Lost pdf Luke 15:3-10 Lost Sheep pdf Luke 15:11-32 Lost Son pdf Luke 16:19-31 Lazarus pdf Luke 17:11-19 Perfect Response pdf	Luke 18:1-34 Being Prepared pdf Luke 18:1-8 Hopelessness html Luke 18:9-14 Self-righteous html Luke 18:15-17 Neglected html Luke 18:18-27 False-Confidence html Luke 18:28-30 Faithfulness html Luke 18:31-34 Remember html Luke 18:35-43 Blind Man pdf Luke 19:1-10 Tax Collector pdf Luke 19:11-27 Ten Minas pdf
PASSION OF CHRIST & BEYOND LUKE 19:28-24)
Luke 19:28-40 Palm Sunday pdf Luke 19:35-38 Entry html Luke 19:41-44 Weep Lost pdf Luke 19:45 20-47 Preach pdf Luke 20:26-40 Eternity pdf	Luke 22:1-06 The-Plot html Luke 22:1-30 Introduction html Luke 22:7-13 The Preparation html Luke 22:14-23 The Passover html Luke 22:24-30 Leadership html Luke 22:1-30 Lord's Supper pdf Luke 22:29-36 Temptation pdf Luke 22:31-65 Temptation Handout pdf Luke 24:13-35 Questions pdf Luke 24:13-53 Resurrection pdf