Luke 9:57-62
The passage of Scripture we have just read is a very remarkable one. It contains three short sayings of peculiar solemnity, addressed by our Lord Jesus Christ to three different persons. We know nothing of the names of those persons. We know nothing of the effect which our Lord’s words produced upon them. But we need not doubt that each was addressed in the way which his character required, and we may be sure that the passage is specially intended to promote self-inquiry.
The first of these sayings was addressed to one who offered to be a disciple unconditionally, and of his own accord. “Lord,” said this man, “I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.”–That offer sounded well. It was a step in advance of many. Thousands of people heard our Lord’s sermons who never thought of saying what this man said. Yet he who made this offer was evidently speaking without thought. He had never considered what belonged to discipleship. He had never counted the cost. And hence he needed the grave reply which his offer called forth:–“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.”–He must weigh well what he was taking in hand. He must not suppose that Christ’s service was all pleasure and smooth sailing. Was he prepared for this? Was he ready to “endure hardness?” (2 Tim. 2:3) If not, he had better withdraw his application to be a disciple.