Luke 9:51-62 Follow Jesus

Fair-weather fans – that is the term used to describe those fans who come out to support their team only when they’re winning, only when times are good. It’s hard to follow a team and cheer for them when that team is struggling, when there is little if any hope for a winning season, let alone a championship. But that is what a true, diehard fan does – even when times are tough. On the other hand, those faith-weather fans only display their loyalty and allegiance when they can cheer on a winner.

 Jesus reminds us in the words before us this morning, that our Christian faith, our loyalty and allegiance to him, are not something that we can pick up or put down when it’s convenient, or when it suits us and our desires. Following Jesus is a commitment. Following Jesus often requires hard work and sacrifice. Last week, we heard Jesus say to us, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Jesus’ words before us this morning expand on that thought. Follow Jesus – even when the way is rough; even when the time is inconvenient; and always looking ahead.

 As Jesus traveled through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem, he “sent messengers on ahead.” They were to arrange for a meal and lodging for the evening, but the people in a certain Samaritan village refused to let Jesus and his disciples stay. The Jews and Samaritans did not get along – so much so that often those traveling from Galilee in the north to Judea and Jerusalem in the south would make the longer journey to go around, rather than traveling the direct route which would require going through Samaria. When the Samaritans heard that Jesus and his disciples were headed to Jerusalem, they showed their displeasure by refusing them.

 James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy this town because of their rejection of Jesus. In the Old Testament, the prophet Elijah had once asked God to send down fire to destroy the soldiers of wicked king Ahaziah when they tried to take Elijah prisoner. In that case, Elijah was dealing with a wicked king who had rejected the Lord and hardened his heart against the true God. James and John thought that the people of this town deserved similar treatment.

 But Jesus rebuked them. It was not the place of James and John to punish these people. While all those who reject Jesus will ultimately face the Lord’s judgment, the Lord in his grace and mercy is often patient in dealing with people. Here the Lord shows his loving patience with these Samaritans. 

 We are reminded that there will be those who reject the message of Jesus; there will be those who are opposed to the gospel; there will be those reject our witness and who may even seek our harm because of our confession concerning Jesus. Don’t we sometimes wonder why the Lord allows this world to continue when so many hate and reject him? Why do the wicked seem to prosper and go unpunished? Sometimes we would like the Lord to show his almighty power and glory and put an end to the wickedness in the world. But in his patience and love, the Lord does not always punish wickedness and unbelief immediately. The apostle Peter reminds us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Jesus came to seek the lost, to save sinners - not to destroy them. Jesus himself tells us that in just so many words, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” The time for judgment will come. But that time is in the Lord’s hand.

 Isn’t it the case that the Lord is far more patient and loving that we are? How easy for us to witness to someone and then give up after one or two tries. When our witness is met with out and out rejection, wouldn’t we, like James and John, like to see the Lord’s punishment? But the Lord would also have us be patient in dealing with others, continuing to witness to them, never failing to take the opportunities we have to speak about our Savior. 

 There is also a warning here for us. Jesus went to another village because he was not welcome. When people don’t want Jesus, he goes somewhere else.  Certainly we do not want Jesus to go somewhere else. The Lord is patient, but he also says, “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Some of those people may never have had another chance to hear the saving gospel. We do not want to make that mistake. Yet how easy it is for us to take the gospel message for granted? We have heard it many times; we know Jesus and his word so well. How easy to think that we know the Bible well enough. What so easily happens? Jesus and his word get pushed aside, because we have other things to do. Cherish that message by regularly hearing and learning that word. Take every opportunity in church and in private to know Jesus more and more.

 For those of us who do know Jesus as our Savior, who know his forgiveness and salvation - there is much for us to continue to learn as we follow him. Following Jesus is not without cost. Following Jesus changes our priorities. Following Jesus gives us a very different perspective and focus. We are given the examples of three men, who apparently believe in him - they called him Lord. But they were not ready to serve him as they should. How will we serve our Savior? How will we follow?

The first man says “I will follow wherever you go.” No hardship would be to difficult, no sacrifice too great. But Jesus response points out just what following him requires. Jesus makes sure this man and all those listening understood and had thought through just what it means to follow Jesus. Jesus words are a warning. Jesus reminded him that foxes have holes and birds have nest, but Jesus didn’t have any place that he could call his own home. He traveled around from place to place. He faced opposition and ultimately was crucified. To follow Jesus means that our greater concern is spiritual an eternal matters, not earthly treasures. A nice home, plenty of money in the bank, a comfortable life - while those are wonderful blessing the Lord may give - those things are not the chief concern of a follower of Jesus. In fact, the person who wants to follow Jesus must be prepared to give up a lot of things in this world. He must count the cost.

 How easy it can be to follow Jesus, until we are asked to give up something to follow him. When God’s law tells us certain behavior is sinful, how hard it can be for us to give up something that perhaps others proclaim as good or that we find pleasure in. When the Lord asks us to give of our time to spend with him in his word, how hard for us to give up our recreation and sports, to make the trip to church. When the Lord calls upon us to give him generous first-fruits offerings, how difficult for us to part with our hard earned money and all the things that we might like to have. When we remember how much our Savior gave up for us, giving up the glories of heaven to suffer and die in our place, when we consider the greater treasures that he has secured for us – the treasures of heaven - we will be ready to give up for him everything that is not in harmony with his word and his will. We will give ourselves completely to him. We will be ready to do what he says.

 The second man was also ready to follow Jesus. He also called him Lord, but first he wanted to bury his father, to attend his funeral. We would certainly think that Jesus would let the man do this. But Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

 This does not seem to be an improper request - to show respect to our parents who have died is certainly in order. But at the same time, we must not allow family considerations to hinder our serving the Lord and proclaiming his gospel. 

 So often, we too are ready to follow Jesus and do what he wants, but first we would like to do something else. When we get that done, then we will have time for the Lord’s work. But isn’t it true that there always seems to be something to do first. But notice that in his reply to this man, Jesus shows us that even the highest duties we have in this world, even the duty to honor our fathers and mothers, should not stand in the way of our service to him. Service to Christ requires our whole hearted and undivided attention.

 The third man too seemed ready to serve Jesus. But he too had something he wanted to do first - a personal matter. He wanted to go home first to say goodbye to his family. Jesus says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” If a farmer is going to plow in a straight line, he has to keep his eyes focused ahead - he has to keep his eyes on his work. If he starts looking all around at all sorts of other things, he may drift to the left or to the right.

 That’s the kind of service that our Lord wants from us. He wants us to be focused - to serve him with our whole heart. When we let our desires for the things of this word interfere with our service and devotion to him, we are not fit for the kingdom of God. 

 Of course, who of us is fit for the kingdom of God? We all have to admit that at times, other things get in our way of our service to the Lord. Whether it is family, hobbies, work - whatever it might be, there are times when the Lord and his word and his work get pushed aside - at least for a time - in favor of other things. No certainly, none of us deserves to be part of the Lord’s kingdom or to serve in that kingdom. 

 Thanks be to God that his life and death has made us fit for his kingdom. That is where our focus is – on our Savior and his sacrifice. That is what motivates and enables us to follow him, and to continually strive to follow him with greater devotion. At the time of our text, the time for Jesus’ death was drawing near. We are told that Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Jesus knew all that would happen to him there. In Jerusalem, he would be taken prisoner; brought to trial before the high priest and the Jewish Sanhedrin. They would consider him worthy to die. He would be handed over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate who would have Jesus beaten and led out to Calvary to be crucified. Despite the fact that Jesus knew what would happen to him there he was intent, determined to go to Jerusalem - because by his sufferings and death Jesus would rescue us from sin and hell and give to us eternal life in heaven.

 Jesus focus was on our salvation.  His focus didn’t waver but in love for us he willingly went to the cross. May our focus always look ahead to the certain hope that Jesus gives. May that fact motivate us all the more to follow him with greater devotion in the future. Our devotion to the Lord must come first in our lives. Whatever earthly things stand in the way – must be put aside. 

            Count the cost of following Jesus.  It may well require sacrifice and hard work.  But when we consider the cost, we need to always factor in eternity.  Certainly, no cost is too great when we consider that.  Our Savior Jesus by his perfect life and innocent death on the cross as our substitute has won for us eternal life in heaven.  Serve your Savior with all your heart regardless of the cost.  The Lord will be with you and bless all your efforts.  He has already prepared for you a home in his heavenly mansions.  Follow Jesus, no matter what the earthly cost.