ON TO JERUSALEM
#121 ON TO JERUSALEM
Scripture Luke 9:51-62 NIV Orig. October 12, 1985
Passage: 51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them[a]?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Purpose: Continuing a series from Luke, declaring the way of discipleship
Keywords: Bible Study Discipleship
Timeline/Series: Luke
Introduction
As Luke opens the door for Jesus to begin His journey to Jerusalem, he opens a whole new segment of the story that he intends to tell. Not only that, he begins accounting what is not otherwise told of the life of Jesus.
Through Luke 9:50, Luke’s account is a parallel account with Matthew and Mark. From here on to chapter 19 he will tell vignettes of the life of Jesus which are told only by Luke. Perhaps as much as 90% of these ten chapters do not otherwise appear.
This phase of Jesus’ life is called the Perean Ministry of Jesus. Up to now, it has been the Galilean ministry. Perea was across the Jordan River from Samaria. Its name comes from the Greek word for “across,” peran. It was the ancient name for what is now called Transjordan
As Jesus started for Jerusalem, He determined to take the shortest route which would have been straight through Samaria. He sent messengers on ahead to arrange lodging for them. However, when the Samaritans with whom they talked discovered that they were Jews on their way to Jerusalem, they refused to accommodate Jesus and His disciples. We have heard much of this bad blood between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus intends a kindness, which they quietly rebuff.
We talked of John recently and his change from “son of thunder” to “disciple whom Jesus loved.” We see evidence here of what he was originally. He and James wanted to call down “fire” from heaven on these wretched Samaritans for daring such a discourtesy.
This detour is not the way convention dictates but the way conscience demands.
I. A Brief Look at Old Prejudice and New Anger. V 53 “But they did not receive Him because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.” We should not read into this any sentiment against Christ. They probably knew little. They opposed these Jews expecting lodging. All of us need to learn to be careful in what we shut out of our lives.
Jesus used the opportunity to teach. First note that the believers were as misguided as the unbelievers. The Samaritans concluded that Jesus was a typical Jew. The disciples concluded that Jesus shared their anger at such intemperance. Perhaps they were recalling II Kings 1:10-12, when Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume messengers of King Ahaziah.
Jesus’ advice to them is to examine their spirit. V55 “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” This is not contained in the Greek. Could it express their strongly negative approach to the Samaritans? He rebuked their discipleship. Lincoln said, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”
II. Here Jesus Begins a Segment of Teaching About the “Way.” These are Three Tests of Discipleship.
First is the test of consecration. V57 Lord, I will follow you wherever you go.” He has already addressed this in 9:23 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” The word “follow” is the verb form of “attendant.” Now one spontaneously responds. Wherever you go, I will go. Have you ever thought about your response to Jesus? Jesus reminds him of the variables. He has observed popularity. He has seen the crowds, hoopla. What happens when the fun is gone? John 19:30, “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.”
Second is the test of obedience. V 59 “Follow me.” “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” We need to examine the picture that forms. Is it of a man whose father is in a coffin, a man who wants to attend the funeral? Look again! The oldest son had the responsibility of funeral arrangements. He wanted to postpone Jesus’ invitation until a more convenient time.
William Barclay tells of a brilliant young Arab who was offered a scholarship at Oxford/Cambridge, whose response was “I will take it after I have buried my father.” His father was forty, and in excellent health. The heart of the question to all of us is “What are we doing that is more important than the Kingdom?” Discipleship demands obedience. Soldiers are called to make sacrifices.
Third is the test of authenticity. V62 “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Following Jesus is for “keeps,” as someone says. It calls for sincerity of purpose. But one must give up his family? No, but his priority must be the Kingdom. The ancient Oriental “farewell” might last for weeks. In Genesis 24:55, after Abraham’s servant identified Rebekah as God’s chosen for Isaac, her mother and brother asked for her to stay 10 days. But the servant said, “do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way.” And Rebekah went with him.
Too many people say “I will follow…
…but…”
…when…”
…if…”
Too many Southern Baptists say “You can’t be my friend unless…
…you believe in inerrancy.” The inerrancy card is inflammatory.
…you deny ordination of women.”
…you went to an unconventional seminary.”
Conclusion
Jesus advised His disciples to understand of what spirit they were. When the sermon is five minutes over; or the special message didn’t gel; or someone you don’t care for shares your pew; or you are reminded of some little deed done, or big deed not done. “What spirit are you of?”
When the Scottish Presbyterians first came to Northern Ireland, their faith was unacceptable. Their ministers were considered dissenters and were not allowed. These people of faith chose to row the miles back to Scotland on each Lord’s Day to take Communion and to worship. What spirit are we of?