What It Really Means to Follow Jesus | Luke 9:57–62

Jesus doesn’t just invite us to believe. He commands, “Follow me,” and Luke 9:57-62 shows how quickly our excuses rise when that call collides with comfort, family expectations, and timing. I walk through Jesus’ encounters with three would-be disciples on the road to Jerusalem and ask the question we often dodge: am I truly following Jesus, or just admiring him from a safe distance?

We unpack three anchor truths for Christian discipleship: there is a cause worth everything, the call to follow Jesus outranks every competing obligation, and the right time to obey is now. Along the way, I connect the text to real lives, from the Apostle Paul counting his credentials as loss, to believers in Christian history who traded prestige for service. These stories are not meant to shame us. They are meant to clarify what commitment looks like when the kingdom of God becomes our first loyalty.

The conversation gets practical fast. What “nest” are you protecting? What “burial” duty is masking delay? Where are you looking back while trying to plow forward? I close with pointed reflection questions, an invitation to pray for real change, and spoken declarations anchored in Scripture, including Psalm 23 and a final blessing.

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Transcript

Opening Question And Scripture Text

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Are we truly following Jesus in Christian discipleship? Luke 9 57-62 provides a story of Jesus' encounter with three persons who had the opportunity to follow Jesus. Interestingly, the scripture does not inform us as to whether or not any of these persons decided to be Jesus' disciple. In this episode, we will analyze these encounters through the lens of three immutable truths. First, there is a cause to discipleship. Second, the call to follow Jesus supersedes all other obligations. Third, the time to follow Jesus is now. Stay with me as we evaluate the course of discipleship so that we can be true disciples of Jesus. Imagine approaching Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem for the last passover of his time here on earth. Messengers had gone ahead to prepare for Jesus' arrival at a Samaritan village. However, their overtures had been rejected because Jesus' final destination was Jerusalem. It is while Jesus is on the road to another village that he is approached by a scribe. Luke 9, 57 to 58 tells us that this scribe showed up and firmly stated to Jesus that he was going to follow Jesus wherever he went. The Greek word that is used here for follow means to walk the same road. Dallas Willard, in his book The Great Omission, illustrates it this way. We are willing to wear Lebron James t-shirts and hats. However, we are not prepared to expend the effort to actually be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, like Libron. If we are to walk with Jesus, we must commit our entire lives to being like Jesus. This scribe was following the custom of the day. It was normally the desiring disciple who approached the master. Jesus informed the man that while foxes had dens and birds had nests, the Son of Man had no such place. On a daily basis, Jesus had no idea where he would spend the night. Instead of ensuring that he captured another disciple, Jesus provided the aspiring disciple with a reason to be discouraged. Jesus' earthly ministry was coming to an end. For three years Jesus had gone around doing good. Jesus had healed leopards, raised the dead, set free the demon possessed, and fed the more than 5,000 and five loaves and two fishes. Crowds followed Jesus wherever he went, as they all wanted to be part of whatever was happening. The scribes saw in Jesus something desirable that he wanted to be a part of. However, this man would not have been aware then that the road led through Pilate's judgment hall. It would end at the cross where the crowd would mock Jesus. Have we grasped the depth of the commitment that we must make to truly be Jesus' disciples? The New Testament provides a brilliant example of someone who set everything aside to follow Jesus in the person of the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul had studied on the Gamaliel, who was a most respected rabbi at that time in Judaism and an expert on Jewish law. In Philippians 3, Paul listed his credentials. He was circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. In regard to the law, Paul was a Pharisee. In his zeal, Paul had persecuted the Christian church. As for righteousness based on the law, Paul was faultless. Paul might have risen to the highest post of honor in his native land. However, when Paul became a Christian, he gave up his brilliant prospects in regard to this earthly life for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus. The Apostle Paul went on to author 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Let us reflect on the truth that there is a cause to discipleship. Christian history provides incredible examples of those who have likewise eskewed fame and fortune to follow Jesus. Around 1991, Klaus Dieter John qualified as a surgeon at the Wirchau Clinic in Berlin, Germany. The head surgeon at the hospital strongly urged Klaus to pursue a professorship. Klaus thought about all the positive aspects of such a career choice. Living in a modern society, wealth, prestige, and a great education for his children. The other option was to follow his dream of being a doctor in the Third World. Claus then learned that they urgently needed a surgeon at Hospital Vosandes del Oriente in Shell, Ecuador. When Claus announced that he was planning to move to Ecuador, the professor was personally insulted. He took Claus off the surgery roster and placed him on duty in the intensive care unit. Claus Dieter John and his wife Martina then went on to raise funds to build a modern hospital in Peru, which mainly serves people in need. What then or nests in our life, career, possessions or lifestyle might Jesus be asking us to release so we can walk the same road with him? Imagine that you're going about your daily routines and you're approached by Jesus, Master of Heaven and Earth. It appears to be just another occurrence in your day-to-day living, so you listen intently but refrain from committing. Luke 9:59-60 tells us that Jesus asked a man to follow him. The man begged off and told Jesus that he needed time to bury his father. Jesus told the man that he should let the dead bury the dead. Instead, the man should go around proclaiming the kingdom of God. Jesus was letting the man know that those who have not been made alive by coming into contact with Jesus should handle the burial. It was more important to tell others about the kingdom of God, which is found through faith in Jesus. Historians document that in those days it was a son's responsibility to ensure that his father had a good burial. This man did not want to look like he abandoned his father in the eyes of others. There is no indication that this man's father was sick or near to death. In a short period of time, Jesus would leave this earth and this opportunity to be personally commissioned by a physical Jesus would never occur again. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to change the course of history. Simon of Cyrene is written into the annals of history for bearing Jesus' cross. The eleven apostles changed the world as they disseminated the knowledge of Jesus far and wide. This man turned on Jesus' call to lasting glory for a mundane task. What burial or goodbye in our life might be holding us back right now? The New Testament in Matthew 9 tells us a story of Jesus calling Matthew while he was engaged in his daily activities. When Jesus called Matthew, he was at the seat of customs acquiring great wealth. Scripture tells us that immediately Matthew left everything and followed Jesus. Jesus was calling Matthew to a life of walking around and owning nothing. However, the New Testament Gospel that Matthew wrote was historically considered the most important of the four Gospels. Let us reflect on the truth that the call of Jesus supersedes every other activity. Christian history tells the story of Albert Schweitzer, who served as a medical missionary in Gabon, Africa. Around 1915, when Albert was 30 years old, he read an article that highlighted the desperate need for a medical clinic in that area. There was no doctor within a hundred-mile radius. The local people had nowhere to turn when their bodies were ravaged by such diseases as leprosy, sleeping sickness, malaria, and tuberculosis. Albert decided to return to school and study medicine for the next six years so that he could serve Jesus in that part of the world. On June 28, 1949, Albert and his wife arrived in New York aboard an ocean liner. They were met by a crowd of reporters at the bottom of the gangway. One reporter asked, Do you regret the sacrifice of your life to the natives of Africa? Albert replied, There was no sacrifice. I am one of the greatly privileged. If Jesus interrupted our daily routine today and said, Follow me, what would we want to finish first? Is that task truly more important than the call to discipleship? Luke 9, 61 to 62 tells us that yet another man volunteered to be Jesus' disciple. However, he first had to go back and say goodbye to his family. This man was going to serve God when it was convenient. Jesus informed him that no one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. Jesus used the metaphor of plowing which requires intense forward focus to create and maintain a straight line. Jesus did so to emphasize that true discipleship demands constant dedication without looking back at past comforts, distractions, or loyalties. In 2 Corinthians 6 2b, the apostle Paul says that now is the time of God's favor. Now is the day of salvation. What if God is calling us to fully commit to serving Jesus now? The New Testament speaks to us about the urgency of the call of Jesus. In Acts 26, Paul appeared before King Agrippa II, his sister Bernice, Festus, the Roman procurator of Judea, and other senior military and city officials. The Apostle Paul witnessed to these persons that Jesus is the Messiah. King Agrippa contended to Paul that in such a short time he could not possibly persuade him to become a Christian. The Bible never states if King Agrippa did come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Let us reflect on the truth that the opportune time to serve Jesus is now. History shows us that we need to abandon the past if we are to perform great exploits in the present. The conquest of Mexico by Cortes and his men is legendary. In 1519, Hernan Cortes deliberately sunk his ships to prevent his men from retreating. By so doing, Cortes forces men to commit to the conquest of the Aztec Empire as they had no way to return to their former life. What would it look like for us to fully commit to serving Jesus without a backup plan or a way to return to our old life? We started by asking if we are truly following Jesus in Christian discipleship. In the course of this episode, we analyzed Jesus' encounter with three men. We learned that there is a cause to discipleship. Additionally, the call to discipleship supersedes all other tasks. Importantly, the time to pursue Christian discipleship is always now. So let's bring this home. Are we truly following Jesus or just admiring him from a distance? Have we counted a cause and decided he is worth it? Are we letting any but first excuses stand in the way of immediate obedience? And most importantly, are we putting our hand to the plow today without looking back? This week, let's take time to honestly answer these questions before the Lord. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to show us any area where we are hesitating, delaying, or looking back, then let's take one concrete step of obedience, no matter how small it seems. Before you go, if this message spoke to you, like this podcast and subscribe so you don't miss what God is doing here at Catch on Fire Podcasts. If you're ready for real change, take a moment right now to pray with me. Jesus, I give you my life, lead me, forgive me, and make me new. If you pray that, welcome to the family. Follow along, stay connected, and let's walk this walk together. Please join me as we confess words of life over all of our lives. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are still holding on to God's unchanging hand. We are still in God's holy plan. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living holy lives as God requires. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, giving clothes to those in need, ministering to the sick and visiting those in prison, and we are doing so to the least of those among us, as when we do so we are ministering to Jesus. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we have received healing, as by his stripes we are healed. From the crown of our head to the soles of our feet, all of our bodily organs are working correctly. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that God is ordering our steps, that all weapons that are formed against us have been utterly and completely destroyed, and every tongue that is rising against us in judgment is condemned. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that all generational curses are cancelled. Anything that runs in our ancestral bloodline that is not of God has no power over us, our children and our grandchildren, and is eliminated forever right now. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that angels are watching over and keeping our family, our children, our grandchildren, our loved ones safe. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that every negative word that has been and is being spoken over our lives and that of our family, children, grandchildren, and loved ones is cancelled and sent back to the pit from whence it came. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are the head and not the tail. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are not and will never be ashamed. Our enemies have not and never will triumph over us. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that anything that is not of God that has been dispatched to hinder our blessings, our progress, and our well-being is immediately destroyed. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are financially in line with God's word, and as such we are lenders and not borrowers. As a result, all of our debts have been paid and are forgiven. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that the enemy of our souls has no authority over our finances and our funds, and that we are good stewards of the money that God has placed in our keeping. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that in the area of business and our carriers, that just as Isaac reaped a hundredfold, the blessings of Abraham are falling on us, and we are reaping a hundredfold from whatever we put our hands to. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living under an open heaven in every area of our lives. Blessings are falling on us, our family and our loved ones. These blessings are being manifested in our lives, in the spiritual and in the physical. Let's repeat the 23rd Psalm together. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runeth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.