DETERMINED AND DEVOTED
Luke 9:51-62
Introduction
In our text we come to a major turning point in Luke’s Gospel. Beginning here and continuing for ten lengthy chapters - right up to the Triumphal Entry, Jesus is on the road. This section is called the “Travel Narrative” and it contains much material not found in the other gospels.
Luke 9:51 is the statement that catches our attention today.
NIV As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
LSB Now it happened that when the days for Him to be taken up were soon to be fulfilled, He set His face to go to
Jerusalem
MSG When it came close to the time for his Ascension, he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the
journey to Jerusalem.
Here we see Jesus as he faced down the coming cross, knew what was ahead. He is determined to make this journey because he is devoted to his Father and the plan to rescue lost humanity. But he is not alone. He is accompanied by his disciples. He meets both those who reject him and those who want to follow him. As we follow him through this text, Jesus teaches us to be determined and devoted - two key elements of discipleship. Determined not to give up. Devoted to following the Father’s direction and will.
1. JESUS: DETERMINED AND DEVOTED (Luke 9:51-56)
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he 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.
Determined despite the disciples failing their faith tests. Earlier this chapter they couldn’t heal the demoniac boy They argue about who is going to be the greatest. They forbid a disciple they do not know, who was driving out demons. They want to call down fire on a Samaritan village.
Determined despite opposition and bitterness from enemies. He sends disciples ahead into Samaritan territory (vs 52-53). James and John did not just make up this idea about sending fire down! In 1 Kings there were episodes of Elijah calling down fire. Earlier in this chapter was the account of the Transfiguration - James and John (and Peter) saw Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah. Still, they did not reflect the attitude Jesus wanted
them to have. He came to seek and save the lost, not seek and destroy! Barclay: When Jesus did this he was extending a hand of friendship to a people who were enemies. They did not respond well.
Determined despite what was ahead for him, the cross. Luke 9:22, 44 “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. …. Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” Though his disciples did not understand, he fully understood what was ahead for him. What looked like defeat to enemies wasn’t the final word. Jesus was sure of his coming death. He was equally sure that his death would not be the end of the story! Jesus went to Jerusalem as a conqueror, not a
defeated victim!
Determined because he was Devoted to the will of God. Jesus spoke frequently about his purpose to do the will
of the Father.
-Luke 10:22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
-Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
2. Jesus Called Disciples to be both Determined and Devoted (Luke 9:57-62)
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
-Each wanted to follow if it didn’t interfere with their lives!
-Each wanted to be a disciple if it did not upset their priorities!
-Each of these potential disciples wanted to be disciples if they could receive blessings without enduring struggles!
-Each wanted to be disciples but Jesus could not depend on them to embrace the mission of Christianity!
Jesus saw something different in these would-be followers of Jesus than we do.
-He was on a journey through a dangerous land.
-He did not know if people would be hospitable.
-He knew the discomfort -more suffering ahead.
-He knew these men’s hearts.
3. How Can We Be Determined Devoted Disciples?
Our life has a limited lifespan! (9:51a “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven…”). “Either we die young, or we die old. But you can rest assured that we all die. There is no escape from our appointment with the grave. Not for you, not for me. That’s a fact!” - Phil Robertson. Not only is our own mortality a reality, so is the second coming of Jesus!
Remember your commitment to the Master (9:51b “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”). Our commitment to Christ is not like the New Year's Resolutions you’ve already forgotten! Hughes “A committed heart knows the discomfort of loving difficult people, the discomfort of giving until it hurts, the discomfort of putting oneself out for the ministry of Christ and his church, the discomfort of a life out of step with modern culture, the discomfort of being disliked, the occasional sense of having nowhere to lay your head. But Christ’s rewards far outvalue anything lost by following him.” Our commitment to Christ rises above all other commitments and saturates all other commitments.
Let Jesus be the master of your attitudes and actions! In verse 44 Jesus tells them he is about to be “delivered
into the hands of men” … the disciples then started and argument about who was going to be the greatest. The Sons of Thunder, James and John, wanted to roast the Samaritans for rejecting Jesus. Instead, Jesus rebuked them. Discipleship is about becoming like the Lord, yielding our own thoughts and feelings and perspectives into His.
Persevere even when circumstances make it difficult. We are often discouraged by circumstances. No circumstance is beyond God’s ability to move!
Never Look Back! (9:62) Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt! Israel looked back after leaving Egypt! Both longed for their old life… we must never look back!
Bock: “Disciples cannot back off from the task. Discipleship is not a second job, a moonlighting task, an ice-cream social or a hobby. It is the product of God’s calling and should be pursued with appropriate seriousness.”
Conclusion
Jesus was a man who was determined and devoted. He was determined to follow God’s will through whatever obstacle in his path… enemies … faithlessness of believers … suffering.
The fact that Jesus was determined to do God’s will ought to inspire and encourage us to be as determined as he was. Such a course is not always easy. Determination is needed to be a disciple of Jesus. It takes courage to begin; it demands courage and strength for every step of the journey. Many fail and turn back; they lack determination. Let the determination of Jesus inspire and encourage your faithfulness! God grant this day that you and I might renew our vows and again steadfastly set our faces to go to the heavenly Jerusalem!
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Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean that Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51)? How does this show His
determination?
2. Why did the Samaritans reject Jesus in verse 53? How does their response reflect cultural tensions between
Jews and Samaritans?
3. In verses 54-56, why do James and John want to call down fire from heaven? How does Jesus’ response
contrast with their attitude?
4. Jesus encounters three would-be disciples in verses 57-62. What does each person’s response teach us
about the cost of following Jesus?
5. What are some modern examples of distractions that keep people from fully following Jesus?
6. How do we sometimes have attitudes like James and John when dealing with opposition? How can we respond more like Jesus?
7. What does this passage teach us about priorities in the Christian life?
8. What does Jesus mean in verse 62 when He says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”? How can we make sure we don’t “look back” but stay focused on God’s kingdom in our daily lives?
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Resources
Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke. Westminster Press, 1966.
Bock, Darrell L. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Luke. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Chappell, Clovis G. Faces About the Cross, Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1941.
Hughes, R. Kent. Preaching the Word: Luke. Crossway, 2015.
Robertson, Phil. I Did Something Dumb and Broke My Back. https://philrobertson.substack.com/p/i-did-something-dumb-and-broke-my
Schreiner, Thomas R. ESV Expository Commentary, Vol. VIII. Crossway, 2021.
