Lord’s Day, Vol. 14 No. 31

Lord, I Will Follow Thee

Luke 9:57-62 (KJV) 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. 58 And 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. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 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.

Following the Lord is an unwavering conviction to do His will that supersedes all other priorities. Our Lord outlined the possibility of living even in want of a roof over the head – “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head” (v58). Such is the level of commitment! It is a commitment that leads one to the kingdom of God, it is a much blessed path that brings with it no regrets, eternally speaking. However, it involves putting the work of the kingdom of God before all earthly temporal commitments. 

Why is following Christ so exacting? Because accomplishing the cause of Christ truly matters in the final analysis of life in the light of eternity. Our Lord, therefore, highlights the just cost of discipleship so that those who follow Him would count the cost, be willing to trust Him that He makes no mistakes as He leads you to do His will and not turn back – “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (v62).

The hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” gives encouragement for committed followers of Christ.

I have decided to follow Jesus (3x)

No turning back, (no turning back), no turning back. 

Tho no one join me, still I will follow (3x)

No turning back, (no turning back), no turning back. 

The world behind me, the cross before me (3x)

No turning back, (no turning back), no turning back. 

Is the Lord teaching infidelity when He instructed the disciple not to miss even burying his own father’s, the forfeiting of the closest of earthly ties? Is the Lord teaching the disciple to forsake their family, care not for their well-being whilst you are up and about the Lord’s business? No! The Lord is saying, you are on the King’s business and the Kings’ business requires haste and promptness. Commit even your family, the closest of ties to the Lord’s care for He is able while you fulfil the Lord’s instructions!

What is the gist of the King’s business? “… go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (v60). The gospel work, the preaching of the gospel, the saving of souls. The value of rescuing a soul from hell and prepare it on the way to heaven! 

The Lord is calling for faithful followers who will forsake all to follow Him! Amen.