Verses 49-50 A man who had heard Jesus’ teaching and believed him was now using Jesus’ name to cast out demons. Though it was an honor to Jesus, John and the disciples tried to stop him from praying and preaching because it seemed to be an unauthorized ministry since this man wasn’t even part of the twelve disciples. This man was strengthening others in Jesus and weakening Satan’s kingdom but for some reason, he chose not to be a part of the close-knit crowd.

Jesus corrects the disciple’s thinking so that they realize they are not exclusive in representing Jesus. They should rejoice that Jesus’ power is being manifested in others. Our local church or ministry is not the only one that is moving on God’s behalf. We should celebrate with other ministries when they are operating in love and faithfulness to God and His Word. Anyone who is following Jesus should be considered a friend. They are with us, not against us.

Verses 51-56 Jesus is starting his journey toward Jerusalem, the place where He will die on the cross, rise again to walk the earth, and eventually ascend to heaven and send his Holy Spirit to dwell in and among us. We still have 13 chapters of Jesus’ work on the way to Jerusalem before his death though.

Now this story is not in any of the other Gospels. On the way, Jesus is about to pass through a Samaritan (Sah-mare-ih-ton) territory so he sends his messengers ahead in order that the Samaritans might make preparations for Him. He would have been a huge blessing to them. Maybe he would have preached, maybe he would have performed miracles, maybe he would have simply brought his peace and joy to them. But because he was faced toward Jerusalem like he was headed there, the Samaritans did not welcome him. There was a religious and perhaps racial divide between the Samaritans and the Jews. The great controversy between the Jews and the Samaritans was about the place of worship—whether it was Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim (Gare-ih-zim) near Sychar (Sigh-car). (John 4:20) Neither the Jews nor the Samaritans would have anything to do with each other. (John 4:9)

When John and James see how the Samaritans respond, they ask Jesus if they should destroy the Samaritans by calling down fire from heaven. They hadn’t seen Jesus do anything like that before. But the Old Testament prophet Elijah had in 2 Kings 1:10, 12. It’s also important to note that we are not authorized to do whatever other believers do because our situations are completely different. The good news is that the disciples are consulting Jesus here and not just slinging fire around. They ask first.

Jesus is patient with those who reject him. He is not okay with their fiery animosity. The disciples had so much pride, passion, and revenge wrapped up in their desire for fire to fall on the Samaritans. Jesus rebukes them. Instead of fire from heaven, the disciples should have been calling down grace for their enemies. That is how Jesus taught us to love even those who do wrong toward us. Jesus came to save, deliver, and set people free, not destroy them. In Jesus, we’ve been set free from the bondage of anger that seeks revenge.

Here’s something to consider. (I may not have the right words as I write this, but I’m hoping with what I have, this will make sense.) We’ve been given the freedom to love and extend grace to those who hurt us so that there may be peace wherever we go. If we live in fear that something is being taken from us when people treat us poorly, we only live in bondage to the terror that leads to spiritual death and ultimately hurts us. Anyone who has a spirit of revenge and violence is lacking the spirit of the gospel. Jesus came not only to save our souls from hell but also our lives from being a slave to satan’s doing. Jesus gave us the power to heal and not hurt His children.

In the end, Jesus does not insist on his right to travel through the Samaritan road. He did not punish or rebuke the Samaritans for their rudeness. Jesus doesn’t force with us. He simply moved on in peace to the next village. There are instances when we are face to face with strong opposition in matters, we should use wisdom to get out of the way.

Verses 57-58 Here’s what it takes to follow Jesus. There are many people who have said they want to be disciples of Jesus but in the end, they weren’t willing to make the commitment. God isn’t just interested in our salvation but in our discipleship. It’s not enough to just show up at church. We must be the Church, an ambassador of Jesus, in the way we talk and act every day of the week.

The first man said he would follow Jesus wherever He went. Jesus essentially tells him this journey will be hard at times. There are uncertainties. We may not have our comforts along the way. We cannot take anything with us when we leave this earth. This journey with Jesus requires self-denial, suffering, and sacrifice. Jesus knows how to uncover hidden motives behind our words. And here Jesus is saying, ‘are you willing to follow me whatever the cost?’

Verses 59-60 Jesus asks another man to follow him. This man says he needs to go bury his father first, but he’s not referring to a father who is already dead. The man is saying that his father will die at some point in the future so the man wants to go back and be with his father until he is gone and then he’ll be ready to follow Jesus. Maybe he felt his dad really needed him by his side in those last days. Most likely this man wanted to make sure he received his father’s inheritance. Then when his situation was secure, he would be equipped to be a disciple. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Jesus tells this man to let those who are spiritually dead worry about money matters, security, and those kinds of things. But for followers of Jesus, there is no time to waste. We cannot delay the calling from God for a later time when we think we’ll be ready for the difficulties or when our lives are in order. He rules every area of our lives. Jesus calls us to be His followers right now, where we’re at, with whatever we have. Jesus isn’t asking us to be disrespectful to our family. He is telling us family shouldn’t be an excuse for not obeying God. Our duty is to God and we should let no one in our family stand in the way. We shouldn’t be so wrapped up in the things of this world that we neglect God’s call in our lives. (2 Tim. 2:4) When Jesus calls us, we don’t need to consult flesh and blood. (Galatians 1:15, 16) There are no excuses that hold up in Kingdom court for disobedience to Jesus’ call in our lives.

Verses 61-62 The third man wants to go back and say goodbye to his family. Most likely wants to get his household in order and give direction for those looking after the house. This would be me. I have this deep thought/fear that my house wouldn’t be standing if I had to leave unexpectedly. And it conflicts with the other deep thought/faith that says The Helper will still be there holding it together. As I read this I just have to stop at my confession here and admit my lack of faith. I repent, Lord. These thoughts, this confession, and repentance is met with tears. I must let go of anyone, anything, or any thought I hold closer than Jesus. Everything must be filtered through the love and grace of Jesus. He is our Shepherd, our Shelter, our Shield, our Salvation.

Though this life can bring trouble, we have more comfort with Jesus while we go through it. We are actually more of a blessing to our families when we choose Jesus.

Jesus says anyone who looks back is not ready for the kingdom. They are double-minded, like someone plowing their field and looking behind himself. They are going to plow a crooked field looking backward. To anyone who wants to serve Jesus and maintain control of their own lives, Jesus says, “you’ve got to get off the fence to follow me. You must not let even your family relationships trump your loyalty to me.”

This man was possibly putting himself into a place of temptation by going back to his family to say goodbye. Emotions do a funny thing to us. It can hinder our walk with Christ and make irrational decisions. I imagine if this man returned to his family and said he was leaving them to follow Jesus, his family may beg him to stay. They probably wouldn’t want him to leave. The man would be making this choice harder on himself.

These verses are not asking us to literally walk out on our family. Jesus will never ask us to shirk the responsibilities he entrusted us with (our spouse, our children, our job/employer). When we make the decision to follow Jesus, then we make the choice to act on His Word. We are not looking back to our family and friends and asking their opinion on what Jesus says we should or shouldn’t do. We are looking to Jesus alone. We don’t have to consult the world about which way to go or even about what is best for our family. If we are following Jesus and walking in His Word, then it will be best for our family. We are better human beings to others and ourselves when we follow Jesus. Those around us are better off when we follow Jesus and they will benefit from our servant hearts, our forgiving spirits, and our loving attitudes.

The good soil is plowed correctly when we keep looking forward and moving forward in Jesus’ call on our lives and not looking back at the world. A field that is plowed correctly can receive what the Sower sprinkles in, good seeds of His Word, His comfort, His peace. With His nurturing, these seeds produce good Kingdom fruit to endure life.

What is holding you back today? Is it your concern for your family? Your house or stuff? What are you worried about when you think of the cost or the call to follow Jesus with your life? Your words might look different. Your actions changed. Your family might still be where you last left them but when you follow Jesus, your being is transformed, you are a new creation. Jesus knows you have it inside of you to walk this life with Him. He will empower You. He didn’t leave you alone to do this on your own. He’s the voice that calls you out. He knows you have it in you to walk in His calling because it’s Him alive inside of you. He is with you and in you. And He is drawing you out. Pour out your heart to Him. He is a good Father and will calm your fears and supply your strength. When the storms of life are raging around you, Jesus doesn’t move. He holds steady. He is the Rock we can cling to. Are you ready to move forward in your calling with nothing holding you back? You were made for this. ♥️

Prayer: Jesus, you are so faithful to us. You are so good. You speak through my logic and change my heart with the good seed of Your Word. Thank you for helping me understand Your Word. Jesus, I don’t want to delay following you. I don’t want to make excuses. You call me to follow you today with all that you’ve given me, in this very place you have put me. Help me move my excuses aside and make room for You to take up residency in my heart and in my life. Help me let go of the things in this world, my family, my friends, my house, my finances, my stuff, so that I can follow Your call on my life, Jesus. You are more than enough for me, Jesus. I understand it will be uncomfortable, and I still say “yes”. I understand it will be challenging and difficult at times, and I still say “yes”. I believe the time to say “yes” to you, Jesus, is today. Tomorrow is not promised. You are for me. You are with me. Surround me with Your presence, Jesus. Fill me up. I want to live like you, Jesus. I want to be like you, Jesus. Help me to follow you today. Help me to think like you, to act like you, to speak like you, and to love like you, Jesus. Help me to live in Your love for others and not hold animosity for those who are different from me. Give me wisdom in my work, help me to guard my thoughts and my heart, equip my hands and feet to do what you’ve called me to, and steady me in the shoes of peace today. Hold me steady in this calling you’ve called me to. When my feet are weary, carry me in Your love, Jesus. When I don’t have the words to speak, stir up inside me Jesus and give me your voice. When my heart is failing, be the fire that roars to life inside me, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.