Leaving Everything Behind

Celine Park, Australia

Luke 9:57-62

devotional

(v57) A stranger approaches Jesus and expresses his eagerness to follow Him and be a disciple.

(v58) Jesus warns him about the cost of following Him. Even wild beasts like foxes and birds have shelters where they find comfort and security. However, Jesus, the Son of Man, does not have any stability – no home, no money, He is not able to meet what we consider basic needs.

(v59) Jesus tells another man to follow Him, as if to demonstrate to the stranger the common excuses people have that hinder them from following God immediately.

(v60) Jesus is not saying this out of lack of compassion. It’s not because he underestimated the sorrow and devastation caused from the father’s death. In John 11:33-35, when He is informed about Lazarus' death, it is written that Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” and wept, even though He knew He was going to be brought back to life. Jesus really cares about people. However, Jesus’ eyes were so fixed on saving lives and turning people to God. Jesus, with the power of God, is able to conquer death - so death was not an excuse for hesitating to follow God.

(v61) Likewise, another person gives reasons why they cannot follow God right away. They resemble seeds on the rocky soil and those that fell among the thorns (Matthew 13:20-22).

(v62) If you look away while ploughing the land, you may steer off in unintended directions. Similarly, if you do not have your eyes fully fixed on Jesus, it is difficult to carry out God’s work. As disciples, it is important for us to do God’s work and not look back. Two examples where people take the leap of faith to leave everything behind and follow God: Matthew 4:18-22 and Genesis 24:50-61.

reflection questions

• The excuses people give can often sound reasonable. However, why does Jesus challenge them to follow Him right away, despite their excuses?

• Jesus was pointing out the issue with their mindset of trying to do something before committing themselves to Jesus. What are some things that we are trying to get done ‘before we fully devote ourselves to Jesus’?

• What are things we haven’t let go of or things that are distracting us from fixing our eyes on God?

• In what ways can I follow God and be fit for service in the Kingdom of God? challenge

Memory verse:

"Then Jesus said to his disciples,“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24

practicals

• Repenting of things that I have been distracted by

• Serving in the church • Taking an action of faith today