The Cost of Following Jesus

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 The Cost of Following Jesus

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62 (NIV)

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Devotion:

As Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, three would-be followers approach Him. Each expresses a desire to follow, but Jesus responds with unsettling honesty. To the first, He says, “The Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” To the second, “Let the dead bury their own dead.” And to the third, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

These are not gentle invitations—they are confrontations. Jesus exposes the radical nature of discipleship: it demands everything. Comfort, cultural obligations, and even cherished relationships must yield to the call of Christ. This radical call to discipleship should inspire and motivate us in our spiritual journey.

This passage is not about Jesus being harsh or unfeeling. It’s about clarity. He refuses to let sentimentality cloud the radical nature of the gospel. Following Him is not an add-on to life—it is a reorientation of life itself.

We often want to follow Jesus while also keeping our comforts. We want to serve Him after we’ve taken care of our priorities. But Jesus doesn’t wait in line behind our plans. He calls us to a singular allegiance, one that may look reckless to the world but is, in truth, the only life path. This call to singular allegiance should make us feel committed and dedicated in our service to Christ.

Notice, too, the agricultural image: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back…” In ancient farming, looking back while plowing would result in crooked furrows and ineffective work. Jesus is saying that discipleship requires a forward focus. Looking back—longing for what was left behind—undermines the work of the kingdom. This forward focus should instill in us a sense of determination and focus in our journey with Christ.

Prayer:

            Lord, your instructions in this passage challenge us. May we examine ourselves to identify any areas where we lack instant obedience to your call. You call us to follow you with our mind, strength, and effort. May we be as responsive to your call as we are to family. Glorify your name through us as we seek to follow you, regardless of the cost in human terms. We do so knowing that you went to the cross to save us. Amen.

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