Read Luke 9:51-62

Thursday

Read Luke 9:51-62

51 As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem. ⁵²He sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. ⁵³But the people there would not receive him, because it was clear that he was on his way to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”^{j 55}Jesus turned and rebuked them.^{k 56}Then Jesus and his disciples went on to another village.

(Matt 8:19–22)

57 As they went on their way, a man said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lie down and rest.”

59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But that man said, “Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.”

60 Jesus answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”

61 Someone else said, “I will follow you, sir; but first let me go and say goodbye to my family.”

62 Jesus said to him, “Anyone who starts to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use to the Kingdom of God.”

Think

Jesus is heading towards Jerusalem to be crucified.  It seems that the Samaritan village is not interested in Jesus on his way to be crucified.  The disciples want to destroy the city - but Jesus is compassionate and rebukes the disciples for their attitude.  When people offer to follow Jesus he reminds them that following him means giving up everything else.

Pray

Let me follow you with all I am and all I have.