51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
The transfiguration seems to have been a significant transition point in Jesus’ ministry and now his face was set on Jerusalem. Note that His focus wasn’t on the crucifixion but beyond that. Jesus was going to suffer at the hands of men, die on the cross, rise and then be taken up to be seated in glory and await His return. On His way to Jerusalem, He sent messengers to prepare for Him to enter an unnamed Samaritan village. The Samaritans didn’t accept Him because He was focused on Jerusalem. The Samaritans had a long-standing conflict with the Jews and they had their own place of worship on Mount Gerizim (John 4:19–22). James and John’s response may have been prompted by seeing Elijah and they suggested they might call down fire from heaven to wipe out the Samaritans. They were no doubt thinking about Elijah calling down fire to destroy those who opposed God’s work in 2 Kings 1:9-12. But everything Jesus had been doing at that time was about saving and healing, not destroying. Elijah was a prophet of judgment, the disciples, and we as the church have a mission of love (John 13:35). Instead, they moved on to another village.
Along their way, a number of people came and declared their desire to follow Jesus. Jesus’ response teaches us that to be a disciple takes commitment and sacrifice.
Jesus told the first that while foxes have holes and birds have nests, Jesus had no place He called home. Following Jesus requires giving up the creature comforts that even creatures themselves enjoy. Are you willing to give up the things that make your life comfortable in order to follow Jesus?
When Jesus called another to follow, he first wanted to go and bury his father. This response seems reasonable but Jesus said he should leave the dead bury their own dead. It was more important to go out and proclaim the kingdom of God. The most likely explanation for this encounter is that the man wanted to wait until his father died before following Jesus. The spiritually dead can bury the physically dead. But it is of utmost importance that the gospel is preached and the spiritually dead are given the opportunity to accept the gift of life. What is more important to you than telling others about Jesus?
The third man intended to follow Jesus but first wanted to go home and say goodbye. Again, this seems like a reasonable request. But Jesus’ response is about leaving the past behind and focussing on the future. To plow a field straight requires that you keep your eyes fixed on the end of the field otherwise your plow will drift to the left or right as you look about. Interestingly, Elijah had allowed Elisha to go and say goodbye to his family when he was called while plowing (1 Kings 19:19-20). Jesus’ message is of utmost importance and requires total commitment, not divided interests. What might be causing you to look back instead of completely following Jesus?
Jesus had a singular focus on His mission. Everything He did was in connection with that mission and He did nothing that wasn’t. How is your school, work, family, and even rest and play working together in a singular focus on following Jesus? What things do you need to adjust to make Him your main focus?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Ezra Returns: Ezra 7-8