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In the latter part of Luke Chapter 9, Jesus Christ has resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem and ultimately the Cross. He and His disciples have been travelling together with a highly interesting conversation and profound teaching from Christ.

As they were going on their way, a man comes up to Jesus and says, "I will follow you wherever you go." That is always a dangerous thing to say to Jesus, especially when we do not know where He is going.

We have to be careful as to what we say - what we vow - and what we pray. God may take us seriously.

Jesus read this man's heart and replied, "Animals have homes - birds have nests - I've nowhere - I have nothing to offer you in the material sense - I have nothing to offer you but a Cross."

You get this today - someone sees the blessings - the thrills - the excitements - and can rush up emotionally eager - without counting the cost. You get people who on one day will promise you anything, and a few months later, you seldom see them. They vanish.

Some people reveal what appears like commitment - emotional about it all - and then to your sadness, you discover it to be so shallow - that at the first sight of a cross - of a demand - of a degree of real commitment - they are off.

This man who runs up to Jesus has such a degree of self-confidence in his own ability. But - self - as we have seen - has to be crucified. He thought he had so much to offer. He thought he would automatically be accepted as a candidate for discipleship - for ministry - for service - and Jesus reply must have shocked him. This man behaved as though Jesus could not have managed without him.

Verse 59. Jesus says to another man – “Follow Me” - but he said - let me first go and bury my father. Was this not a legitimate request? Yet Jesus answers - Let the dead bury the dead - but YOU go and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Don't linger - don't wait until the situation is right. Jesus must have priority. From the very beginning, Jesus lays down tough demands. Yes, we must honour parents - but allegiance to parents (or to people in general) must never hinder nor prevent us from doing what Jesus Christ calls us to do. Our first loyalty is always to Jesus. Jesus does not want to see people's enthusiasm fizzle out - and wane. He is saying - "Eyes off earthly ties."

This man had reservations. He was reluctant to become a disciple of Jesus NOW. He wants to delay. No today. To-morrow. Another day. When I am free - and when it is more convenient. To follow Jesus Christ means commitment NOW. I don't know of anyone who has said, "To-morrow - next week - next year - some other day" - and then actually made the commitment to Jesus.

Jesus never used gimmicks to attract people. He showed men and women from the very beginning that it would be tough and costly - and yet wonderfully rewarding too.

Verse 61. Another man says - "I will follow you Lord: but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family," Some always have something else to do - somewhere else to go - someone else to see. People with things to do before serving Jesus!

This man wanted to be a disciple on his own terms. Jesus will never permit that.

Jesus replied, “No-one who has put his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." We can want to look back - to see what might have been if only - and Jesus says - "Don't" - not if you want to be useful and fruitful in the Kingdom.

When you look back - if you are ploughing - what you are presently doing will soon become crooked and twisted and distorted.

Don't look back - hankering after your former ways - your old habits - previous favourite haunts. Get a vision of Jesus in front of you - leading you - showing you what lies ahead - and follow Him. This is how we move forward - progress - advance - and mature as disciples.

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

The Fulfilling Marriage