Huntington Church of Christ

"...A certain man said unto him, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven (have) nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. and he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God. And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are on my house. But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:57-62)

This Scripture is not all that difficult to understand. Be careful not to apologize or make an exception for what Jesus said. He demands first place in our lives, before family, secular associations, occupations, recreation, etc. Jesus demands a committed life! Read and compare the following words of our Lord.

"Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

"Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in-law against her mother in-law: and a man's foes (shall be) they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:34-38)

Let these words of Christ be sanctified in our hearts. Meditate on them and let them "...dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another" (Colossians 3:16).

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ