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.”  59-60 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  61-62 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”  Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 English Standard Version

Usually when people have a club or sports team they are delighted when new people want to join. They often go out of their way to smooth out any obstacles that may keep new folk from becoming members. Some Churches do that too! Jesus told how even the Pharisees long ago would “cross land and sea to make one convert.” (Matthew 23:15) But today's reading shows that Jesus said things that would've discouraged people from following Him. The man in vs 57 sounded like he'd be a great disciple – willing to go wherever Jesus went. So why did Jesus say what we read in vs 58?

It seems that Jesus wanted him to be clear on what such a commitment would mean. Jesus had no permanent home to offer. He and the disciples were living a vagabond life. That's still true of becoming a follower of Jesus today. He doesn't promise a good salary, comfortable home and nice working hours. In some countries Christians have had those things, but in many places discipleship is very costly. I wonder which of the two groups are the stronger though? And would those of us who have all the comforts be strong enough to keep following Jesus if it meant losing homes and possessions?

What about vs 59-60? Here it was Jesus who invited a man to be his follower. Was Jesus showing a lack of compassion in how He replied to what the man said?

It's more probable that the man's father had not 'just' died - and so his answer really meant that he would follow Jesus 'when' his father died. Perhaps he wanted to be there when the inheritance was divided. Jesus' words would then imply that we mustn't allow unsaved people (even family members) to keep us back from serving God. We must allow those who are spiritually dead to look after their own affairs while we get on with the work of the gospel. (This doesn't mean of course that a saved person can walk out of a marriage with the excuse that he or she wants to go and work for the Lord!)

Verse 61-62 are similar to the last incident but here it was a man offering to follow Jesus, but wanting to first go and say good-bye to the family. Once again Jesus makes a very strong statement. What do you think He was warning against here?

I'd suggest that we need to keep in mind that 'saying farewell' in those days wasn't a quick good-bye that we are familiar with. The Old Testament tells us how when Abraham's servant had found a bride for Isaac he wanted to return immediately to take her to the man who would be her husband. But her family wanted her to prolong the farewell for at least 'ten days'. But the servant said, “Don’t delay me. The Lord has made my mission successful; now send me back so I can return to my master.” (Genesis 24:54-59)

I'm told that if one keeps looking back when ploughing one ends up with very crooked furrows. So too, if we give our lives to Christ it must be without lingering doubts that will cause us to constantly look back with regret over people, places and things we may have left behind. We will be hopeless ploughmen! Being a Christian means total commitment. Jesus must have first place in our affection and loyalty. And so He calls us to think carefully of what it will cost us. We dare not be half-hearted or double minded.