Journey To Jerusalem Series

• When we commit with God to do our part, God will do His part in rewarding that effort for His kingdom.

Finally, in the “Journey to Jerusalem” Jesus shows us:

3) The Diversion Excuse (Luke 9:57-62)

Luke 9:57-62 [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)

On the Journey of Faith, in the midst of rejection, it becomes crucial to understand the nature of discipleship. The three sayings of these verses stress what discipleship requires. The presence of the kingdom means not instant power and position but rejection by the world. It requires a focused commitment to be a disciple (Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke. The IVP New Testament commentary series (Lk 9:57). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.).

In Luke 9:57, It notes that Jesus and His disciples were going along the road. “Road” is literally way (hodos). Luke may have been presenting Jesus’ teachings along the “way” to Jerusalem as a metaphor for the ethical demands of the Christian “way.” In Acts, the early church is called “the Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9; 22:4; 24:14, 22). It is the church’s self-designation, perhaps implying that they are the group which goes the way that Jesus went (Black, M. C. (1996). Luke. College Press NIV commentary (Lk 9:57). Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub.). As will often be the case in the travel narrative, Luke correlates a travel notice with material on discipleship. Expected notations about the journey—for example, current location and direction of travel—are characteristically missing; what is important is that they are “on the road,” for it is on the "Journey to Jerusalem" that instruction leading to the formation of faithful disciples will be provided (Stein, R. H. (2001). Vol. 24: Luke (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (301). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." The section before us paints a stark, demanding picture of discipleship. Here, the first man volunteered without reservation. He was warm, ardent, and enthusiastic. His problem is that he has not realistically counted the cost. His enthusiasm is based on the feelings of the moment, which will not be strong enough to sustain him in the thick of battle (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Lk 9:57). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.).