Thursday, June 22, 2023

⁵⁷ As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸ But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” ⁵⁹ He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”  The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead!  Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” ⁶² But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” LK 9:57-62                                             

       Following Jesus is difficult.  I don’t know why we try to make it seem easy.  It’s not.  In this passage alone, Jesus makes Discipleship a chore.  Following Jesus means not having a home.  Following Jesus means not having family.  Following Jesus means rearranging priorities.  You know, it’s common for us to pursue the path of least resistance, to find the easiest way possible.  So, we “sell” Christianity like a product on television.  We tell folks, “All you have to do is ____.”  But following Jesus – truly following Jesus – and living by His standards in this world, will cost you everything.  You will not leave this life with your possessions.  You won’t take your money with you.  Even your closest relationships will be altered by death.  But there is one thing that will never change, never go away, should we choose to nurture it.  That is relationship with God through Jesus, God’s Son, the Messiah.  Yes, following is costly, but following is also rewarding.  Thanks be to God.  Amen!