The Cost of Yes

ByJim Stephens

Scripture:  Luke 9:57-62

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.” (Luke 9:57-62 NLT)

It’s easy to be enthusiastic about following Jesus when we’re caught up in the moment. Like the man in verse 57, we declare, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus doesn’t offer a sales pitch. Instead, He offers a reality check.

  • The first man was eager, but Jesus reminds him that even the wildlife have more earthly security than he does. Following Jesus isn’t a guarantee of physical comfort or social stability. It’s a call to find our “home” in him.
  • The second man didn’t say “no,” he said “later.” Asking to bury his father seems reasonable, but “Lord, first let me…” is a contradiction. If he is Lord, he comes first. Jesus is emphasizing that the invitation to the Kingdom is urgent and cannot be sidelined by “someday.”
  • The final person wanted a lingering goodbye. Jesus uses the imagery of a plowman. If you’re looking over your shoulder while plowing, your rows will be crooked and your work ineffective. A divided heart can’t do Kingdom work. We can’t move forward into what God has for us if we are looking at what we left behind.

Following Jesus is the most rewarding journey we can ever take, but it is also the most demanding. He doesn’t want our “leftover” time or our “secondary” loyalty. He wants our trust in the midst of uncertainty, our “now” instead of “later,” and our eyes fixed firmly on him. Think about it: Is there a “but first…” in your life right now that is keeping you from fully following where he is leading?

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for the invitation to be part of your Kingdom. Forgive me for the times I have offered you my “later” instead of my “now,” or when I have let the comforts of this world become more important than following you. Give me a heart that doesn’t look back and a spirit that finds its home in your presence. Help me to lay down my “but firsts” today so I can walk freely in the direction you are calling me. Amen.