Having counted the cost as directed by Jesus, disciples of Jesus follow Him fully – all in
If you do these devotions solo, consider doing this week’s with someone – or at least talking about with someone at another time.
Following Jesus as We Come 'n Go
Pondering Point
Read Luke 9:52-62 (below). These may sound like harsh words, but they set a strong tone about priorities in following Jesus. This week's theme centers around counting the cost of following Jesus – and of course hopefully agreeing to follow Him – eyes wide open. Part of the cost of following Jesus is that we agree to follow Him on His terms rather than our own terms.
The Gospel of Luke records individuals talking to Jesus about following Him but learning that they don't get to set the terms of commitment. This can be unsettling when you reflect on it. Don't let it discourage or frighten you, but instead inspire you in your commitment to Jesus and His way. There is a great promise in Romans 8:39 that says nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ; Luke’s teaching says nothing should separate us from this God and life with Him. My implication is that you can get in your own way of following Jesus. Don’t let that happen.
Luke 9:52-62
Let the dead bury their own dead, but you
go and proclaim the kingdom of God. ~Jesus, Luke 9:60
52 And he [Jesus] sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Prayer for the Day
Father God, help me ‘come to terms’ with what it means to follow Jesus and then come to terms with following – whatever the cost. In Jesus’ name. Amen.