Luke 9:57-62
In a very short passage we come across some very profound conversations. Ones that truly have eternal ramifications and ones that surely are worth us, 'pondering in our heart.' There are 3 conversations with Jesus as he is making his way to Jerusalem. Sinclair Ferguson does a remarkable job of laying out the 3 conversations. 1) Volunteers to come 2) One is called to come and 3) Volunteers. Each man is met with startling responses from the Lord. Ones that would not match what we make of Jesus today, this in itself is a huge reason to pause and think of these...do you make much of Christ, and do you know Him through His written word and not simply manifest emotionalism about how you feel about Jesus? I would like to focus on the first and third responses.
The first man rapidly says he will join, without thought to the consequences and hardship. Without weighing, considering or even knowing the cost he tries to jump in. Jesus tells him it will be hard. There will be no where to lay your head. As we consider the Lord's death and resurrection, we must honestly ask ourselves, "Am I in this for me or for Him?" Did I volunteer so I could add Jesus to my resume of good things I have done, do I serve a self made moralistic, therapeutic, deity, or do I serve the one true Almighty King?
The third man volunteers again. He would like to come but first say his goodbyes at home. Jesus responded quickly telling him that no one who puts their hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom. I love Sinclair Ferguson's explanation here. He immediately references when Elisha's response when Elijah called him to come work. (1 Kings 19:19-21) Elisha immediately sacrifices his bulls who he was plowing the field with and burns them as a sacrifice from the wood of the yokes they were attached too. His life changes immediately. He leaves everything for the sake of the Lord.
Sinclair ends the reading with this wonderful question: What reservations do you have about Christ's Lordship in your own life? What gives you confidence that he is worth following?
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