August 12, 2016
EXCUSES, EXCUSES
Luke 9:46–62
Blake Holmes
Central Truth
Many people proclaim their loyalty to Jesus, but few choose to follow Him.
Key Verse | Luke 9:57
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." (Luke 9:57)
Luke 9:46–62
Who Is the Greatest?
46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us
49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”
A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 1 9:54 Some manuscripts add as Elijah did 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 2 9:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; 56for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them 56 And they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus 3 9:60 Greek he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Dive Deeper | Luke 9:46–62
Although I loved the game, I was never a very good football player. Regardless, I learned many lifelong lessons playing football that benefit me to this day. One lesson I learned is that no one likes to hear excuses—especially football coaches! When I missed an assignment, failed to hold my block, or fumbled the football, my excuses always fell on deaf ears.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus stated: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." In our particular passage, we read about three people who give excuses for why they cannot follow Him.
One man approached Jesus and boldly proclaimed: "I will follow you wherever you go." (9:57) Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (9:58) This means that to follow Jesus we must be willing to forfeit our comfort.
Another man, in order to receive his inheritance, wanted to bury his father first. Jesus replied: "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." (9:60) This means that to follow Jesus we must be willing to forfeit any future security.
Finally, another man asks to return home first to say farewell. Jesus replied: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (9:62) This means that to follow Jesus we must be willing to forfeit any contingency plans.
The point of this passage is clear. Jesus is looking for fully devoted followers, not those who are interested in making excuses for why they can't follow Him. Although many people will proclaim their loyalty to Jesus, only a few will willingly forfeit their comfort, future security, and contingency plans to do so.
What is keeping you from wholeheartedly following after Jesus today?
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think it means to follow Jesus?
2. What is keeping you from wholeheartedly following Jesus today?
3. Which of the three excuses given in this passage do you identify with the most? Why?