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Day 39 Luke 9:51-62 Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. 57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou go. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. You all have preconceived ideas of how things should be done. You learned them from your parents and they from theirs, and you teach them to your children. Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem. Their travels took them through Samaria, but when they arrived, the Samaritans didn’t receive them because he was not going to stay. James and John knowing what Elijah did when men came against him, asked if he would send fire down against the Samaritans because they wouldn’t let him stay. Jesus rebuked them. Jesus then met three people along the way, one was eager to follow him, but Jesus told him he didn’t have a firm place to call home. The other two he invited, and they had other things they wanted to take care of before they followed him. Jesus told each to set aside the cares of the world and follow him. As Christians, what excuses do you give when someone asks you to do something that would affect God’s kingdom? It could be working in the church as Sunday school teacher, nursery worker, greeter, and so on. You might be asked to go door to door presenting the gospel. Or any number of things that require you stepping out of your comfort zone and attend to what God has called you to do. Yet, before you consider the offer, you take inventory of what you need to do first before you become available for the task. Jesus invites you to follow him without hesitation. What will you answer him? Will you follow willingly, or will you consider everything you need to do first to make it happen, and follow him? If you have accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow him, and come upon opposition, do you take on a holier than thou attitude against the person, and consider retribution? Or do you wait on the Lord to handle the situation? As Christians, you need to be careful how you handle situations, allowing God to take care of everything in his timing. Your task is to be ready when he calls you. Remember, God knows your heart. He knows your hesitations, and he is willing to wait. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (KJV) There’s a task for you to do. You are the only one qualified to do it. Trust Jesus with the task and follow him. He will lead you in the way you should go, equipping you with everything you need. Let’s pray: Father, let your will be done in my life. Help me do the task you set before me, knowing you will supply everything I need for the work. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 30 September 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay