#60 Luke 9:57-62 No One Who Looks Back is Fit for Service

On February 27, 2022 by

Joy:
Episode #60 Luke 9:57-62

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
Christgazing is the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ, and we believe there is nothing more beautiful to gaze upon than him. We believe his love for you is deep, high, long, and wide. We believe he aches for you to know his love, and he speaks personally to those who seek him. We believe his words are the best words to hear and to know, which is why we offer this podcast.

Each week, Joy reads a passage from the Bible several times and creates stillness after each reading so that we might be still ourselves and know God more.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy reads today’s passage, take a few moments to give God the things that are on your mind. Maybe it’s hope, hopelessness, joy, depression, gratitude, or a mix of all of these things and more. Whatever is on your mind, name it, and bring it to the Lord in this next minute.

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy: As I read the passage for the first time, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?

Luke 9:57-62 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Again?

walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

Luke 9:57-62 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy: As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Luke 9:57-62 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Take the next minute to ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy: Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you keep your face turned toward Jesus today and follow him.

One Response

Amy:
This passage describes three people invited to follow Jesus. 

The second scenario has always struck me as the strangest. Jesus invites a man to follow him, but he responds, “First let me go and bury my father.” It seems a reasonable request, and knowing Jesus as kind, compassionate, and good, I’ve never understood his response, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”

I listened to Tony Clark’s commentary on it, which you can find at my favorite website, www.blueletterbible.org.

I always assumed the man’s father had died and needed to be buried in the next day or so. But Tony suggests the father was still living and perhaps would disapprove of his son following Jesus. Therefore, the son plans to wait until his father’s death before committing his life to Christ.

I wondered about the veracity of Tony’s statement, so I asked Jesus if it was true and heard a quiet answer in my mind. “Notice my use of the word dead in my response, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead.’ The first use of the word obviously describes a person who is physically alive, so the second use of the word can too.”

I’m reminded of Katie Davis, who went on a short-term mission trip to Uganda directly out of high school in 2007. Shortly after, she decided to skip college and move there as a permanent missionary. Katie shares in her book, Kisses from Katie, that her father disapproved, and she had to make a decision – was she going to live to please her earthly father or her heavenly father? She chose to please her heavenly father, moved to Uganda, and started Amazima Ministries, which is still going strong today.

When I meditate on this passage, the word “first” stands out. The last two people responded to Jesus, saying, “First, let me do this. First, let me do that.” I am reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness,” and God will give you all the things he knows you need. 

Jesus concludes by saying, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service.” Can you see Charles Ingalls from The Little House on the Prairie, plowing behind two mules? It’s not going to work if he twists his head to look back.

Closing

Amy:
A transcript of this episode, which includes links to Tony Clark’s commentary and Katie’s book, can be found at amyburgin.com. Joy and I will be back next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.

Links Mentioned

Tony Clark’s Commentary, Counting the Cost

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis (link to Amazon Smile benefiting Africa New Life Ministries at no extra cost to you)

www.blueletterbible.org (my favorite website)

 

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