Title: What It Means to Be a Disciple
Text: Luke 9:57–62
Last week, we talked about how God does not look at appearance.
God sees our hearts, not how we look.
But people often look at appearance—why?
Because it’s easier.
But God sees the heart, the inside.
And if we are God’s children, we should also try to look at what’s inside a person, not just the outside.
Today’s Bible passage is not easy to follow.
Sometimes Jesus said things that sound strong or hard.
But they help us understand something very important:
What does it really mean to follow Jesus and be His disciple?
In today’s story, Jesus has three short conversations with people.
Through them, we learn what it means to truly follow Him.
1. Don’t Make Big Promises to God Without Thinking (Luke 9:57)
One man told Jesus, “I will follow You wherever You go.”
It sounds good, right? But Jesus didn’t praise him.
Jesus said,
“Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
That means Jesus didn’t have a home.
His way was not about worldly success or comfort.
It was a hard and poor road.
Jesus became poor to bring hope to the poor.
Back then, people thought being rich was God’s blessing,
and being poor meant God was punishing you.
But Jesus, who had power, chose a poor life.
Why? To show the poor that they are loved by God.
So now, we don’t have to feel shame or guilt because of our poverty.
We can look to Jesus and be thankful, even in hard times,
because we know the kingdom of God is coming.
2. God Called Us First (Luke 9:59–60)
In the second story, Jesus tells a man,
“Follow Me.”
This is a calling from God.
But the man replied, “Let me go bury my father first.”
This shows that he put his personal matters first.
But Jesus said,
“Let the dead bury their own dead. You, go and preach the kingdom of God.”
It may sound harsh, but Jesus was saying that
God’s kingdom is urgent and important.
Just like in a war, when the country is at war,
people stop fighting about small things.
The big mission becomes more important.
Jesus was calling that man to the frontline of God’s kingdom.
3. Being a Disciple Means Not Looking Back (Luke 9:61–62)
In the last story, a man said he wanted to say goodbye to his family first.
It sounds like a polite and kind thing to do.
But Jesus said,
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
This means when you start God’s work,
you need to stay focused.
Like driving a car—you can’t look at your phone while driving.
Even a small distraction can lead to danger.
If you go to say goodbye, people might stop you.
You might start compromising—taking one step back, then another.
And maybe, in the end, you give up.
Following Jesus is not easy.
It might not bring rewards in this world.
But those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13–14).
“To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end,
I will give authority over the nations.” (Revelation 2:26)“He will keep you strong to the end, so you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:8–9)
Being a disciple might look hard from the world’s view.
But it is also joyful and full of blessing.
The biggest blessing is this:
We can be with Jesus and walk with Him every day.
I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
that this joy and blessing will be with you and me.
Amen.
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