In Luke 9:57-62 we read about three potential disciples of Jesus. Brethren as we enter into the closing of this year (the last quarter), it is important to take stock of this year and the previous years that we have walked with the LORD.
This account of three potential disciples is one of many biblical accounts which will help us. It will enable us to think things through, confess our sins and repent and decide to be more vigilant if we need to, as well as give God thanks for what He has done and is about to do.
I. Potential disciple no. 1
“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head.” (Luke 9:57-58 KJV).
This man decided to follow Jesus by himself. Jesus’ reply implies that he was asking the man whether he had considered the cost of following him. Jesus at the time did not have his own accommodation. It is noteworthy that Jesus did not tell him what to do but gave his own life as an example of the type of life the man would have if he follows Jesus.
If you have chosen to follow God, you must know that you have Covenanted to be Christlike and so should be ready to pay the price.
Jesus was saying “Have you counted the cost?”, “can you pay the price of homelessness or going from place to place and so not being guaranteed accommodation or a comfortable life?”
What has your Christian life been like until this point? Are you aware of the costs or do you count the cost of following Jesus Christ?
Morris Cerullo in the devotional “Journey into the promised Land” lists some of the costs of following Christ as follows
1. Sacrifice as well as service (1 John 3:16)
2. Loneliness (2 Timothy 1:15)
3.Rejection and criticism (John 1:11)
4. Persecution (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).
It is only those who live in the reality that there are indeed costs and have made a conscious decision to not only consider them daily but are willing to go through them, who are able to live victorious Christian lives.
II.Potential Disciple no. 2
” 59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-60 KJV).
When Jesus called this man, the man felt he could still continue making his own decisions and so prioritise his own desires I.e burying his father, as he had done before he was called. However Jesus’ response is clear; the calling of God requires one to prioritise the kingdom of God or whatever God has called one to do as opposed to what one wants to do.
Please know that Jesus was not saying one’s parents or family are not important or that we should not attend to them. Nothing must be placed before the call of God.
Jesus loved his family a sign being when on the cross of crucifixion, he spoke in a manner to both his mother and John that gave John the Apostle the understanding that Jesus wanted him to take care for his mother, so John took her into his home after Jesus died (John 19:25-27).
This was also revealed when Jesus spoke to the people and someone told him is mother and brethren wanted to speak to him. He replied
“48… Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
“49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matt.12:48-50 KJV)
As we can see, as with the first potential disciple, Jesus was teaching his “do as I do” principle for despite his love for his family, Jesus prioritised the work of the ministry over and above them which was the will of God.
Brethren, do you prioritise your will over and above that of the will of God?
Your response maybe “well I often don’t know God’s will so I just get on with what I want to do and hope it is”.
If this is the case, my prayer is that you would spend time in fasting and prayer even as you enter into 2016 asking the Lord to reveal His will for your life to you and also that you would refrain from making hasty decisions and learn to wait on the Lord.
III.Potential Disciple no. 3
“61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62 KJV).
This man wanted to follow the Lord, however he wanted to take time to do something first, or wanted to follow God but on his own terms. Jesus’ reply affirms the motives of the man’s heart; He was holding onto his past life, torn between committing to God wholeheartedly and living in the world.
Brethren, as you may know, when God calls us, He requires us to respond immediately and not to start thinking of what we have left undone and need to do first, or put off obeying God until it suits us. At times we may decide to do something first which we convince ourselves is part of or compliments the calling of God or what He is asking us to do. Partial obedience is not obedience.
I pray to God that everyone reading this will from henceforth be even more sensitive to God’s leading in your lives so that you will not hesitate to know what He is calling you to do. Also that God would grant you an increased measure of His gift of discerning of spirits and the ability to stay in the place of praise, prayer, bible reading and meditation.
This is so that as you abide in this realm consistently, you will be able to hear God’s voice in whichever way He chooses to speak to you. In Jesus name Amen.
You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!
Deborah Esther
©Deborah E.Nyamekye 28/12/2015
Biblical Exhortations, Devotionals & Poetry 