GPS Guide – June 21, 2019

LUKE: PART III – ALL TO GOD

Friday

Read: Luke 9:57-62

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.” (NIV Luke 9:57-62)

Study: The basic lesson here was simple: Choose discipleship, do it, live it, don’t look back. Remember Lot’s wife! There can be nothing halfway about it – it’s all or nothing. Following Jesus must be an all–consuming priority and passion, or it’s not really following at all. Three brief encounters illustrated, by contrast, this principle. The first person announced his willingness to follow, but Jesus questioned the depth of his commitment. Was he ready for hardship? Could he handle being “homeless”? The second person was invited to follow, but he hedged. His answer indicated he wanted to wait until his father died. He was unwilling to give up the good (honoring parents) for the best (God’s kingdom). The third person was willing to follow… later. He had some things to take care of first. His old way of life still claimed his attention.  Are you ready to follow Jesus now? What difficult things would you have to change in order to follow Jesus fully?

Prayer: Following you is hard, Jesus. Sometimes I don’t want to. Other times I do not feel ready. Help to know what I must do to make you the priority in my life. Amen.