“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”” Luke 9:57, 59, 61 ESV
Reflection: are you “all in” following Jesus?
Have you thought much about why Jesus picked specifically the disciples that he did? And even how he picked them? Now, we are clearly missing a bunch of context of all that happened, what made them drop everything and follow this unknown Rabbi, this teacher from Nazareth. But let’s read one example. “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 ESV.
Notice there is nothing here about needing to think about it, to arrange with families, various business affairs, or whatever. Matthew just described what happened as “immediately”. And when we follow their story throughout the gospels, we can see that it wasn’t fake. It wasn’t just words or a good intention. No,
they were all in.
At least to begin with. It must have been why Jesus hand-picked them. They clearly didn’t know what they were in for, but they followed. But by being all in, dropping everything, they were able to learn from this teacher, more and more. The commitment they initially made just got stronger as they went along, to a point where they knew fully there was no other way but Jesus. How can I say that? We read later that some of the “followers” started leaving Jesus. Found his words offensive, as he revealed and spoke truth that was difficult to hear. Jesus asked then his disciples, his closest followers
“Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”John 6:67b-69 ESV. Notice it was Peter, the fisherman who got the simple call “follow me” who now knew there was no alternative. There was only one way.
As Jesus got more known, more “popular” from all the miracles, many wanted to follow him. And in the end of chapter nine, Luke has included three examples of “conditional followers” for us to consider.
The first one doesn’t ask if he can follow, but makes a bold proclamation about his commitment to follow, paraphrased, “Lord, I will follow you to the ends of the earth”. But we see from Jesus response to him that his proclamation is just about himself, and his own ability to follow. It is insincere, just words.
The second one, Jesus actually called to follow, but he is not sure the timing is right for him. He has some other business to attend to first. Dealing with what is dead (which of course there is a deeper meaning behind). But think of this in contrast to the calling of Peter, who dropped everything and “immediately” followed when called.
And the third, actually asks Jesus if he can follow him, but he has conditions. He wants to maintain his old life, perhaps in case things with Jesus don’t work out. “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:62 ESV. He is simply not worthy of the kingdom if he also desires to also keep his old life.
To follow Jesus is not a hobby.
Something you do when the schedule allows. Or when it is convenient. It is either or. All in, or not at all. ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 ESV.
Commit your life to Jesus today, tell him sincerely that you are “all-in”, and then follow him. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 ESV