SCRIPTURE READING
The Cost of Following Jesus
Luke 9:57–62 (NLT)
57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”
The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”
62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
- Luke records that Jesus “had no place to lay his head.” No home. It was difficult for Jesus and those that want to follow him. In what ways has Christianity been difficult for you, especially this year? Have you felt “without a place to lay your head?” Spend some time talking to God about it.
- The second person wanted to bury his father before following Jesus; Jesus seemed to take issue. Is there anything that you are holding onto that is a distraction from following Jesus?
- Jesus seems to have a high ask for those that wanted to follow him. Take some time this week to sit in solitude, go for a drive, or just find a quiet spot in your house. Answer this question: “Are you willing to put Jesus, and his ways first no matter what?” Don’t answer quickly; take the time to count the cost and make a fresh commitment to the way of Jesus.