And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Luke 9:58
Wonderful events can lead to sobering words.
Luke 9 tells one of the most exciting series of events in the ministry life of Christ which erupted in a revival of conscience beyond what the world had ever seen. The disciples had been sent out and empowered to heal the sick and cast out demons. Following their return, the miracle of the loaves and fishes fed over 5,000 seekers. A week or so later, Peter, James and John saw Heaven come down as Moses and Elijah planned the homecoming of the soon coming King.
Three of those who conditionally followed Christ are then addressed. The first would-be disciple said to Jesus,
“I will follow You wherever You go.” Luke 9:57
It was the declaration of devotion, the commitment of the convicted. This man was bravely stating what those who choose Christ have repeated since,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
No turning back, no turning back.
The Lord’s response was curt and to the point.
“The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Why the dismissive response? Is there something lost in the translation, something in those elusive Greek words that translates harshly what was meant gently? There in lies the problem. Christians today are offended at rebuke. To correct someone is to insult in our more sophisticated church of today. To tell the truth unashamedly is to degrade a person. In the words of conventional wisdom, it is somehow not fair.
The man was looking for what many look for today. He was looking for his throne, his place of honor, possession or security that would designated that he was blessed by God. Don’t think that the “Gospel of Get” is unique to the modern church. Since the Fall, a man’s worth has been based on what he has and not on who he is. Job suffered more from the condemnation of friends than the hand of the enemy.
It was the same message carried to Jesus by the mother of James and John. “Command that my sons may have thrones next to yours!” She unashamedly asked what many ask today… expecting, demanding, whining, grasping and jealous when someone gets what we think we deserve.
The Lord’ response was clear.
“I have nowhere to lay My head.”
Jesus’ entourage of adoring fans would soon become a mob that would demand His death. As long as His message promised worldly security, the crowds stayed true, but the message was changing from miracle bread to taking up a cross (vs.17 & 23). The Master was declaring that no one could enjoy duel citizenship with the world and Heaven.
Jesus’ words were His declaration of freedom, a clear demarcation from the world itself. He was saying, “If you follow Me, take no thought as to where I am leading. If you follow Me, don’t expect either persecution or privilege because you will experience both. My place is not in this world. My home is not in this world. My desire is not for this world. If you follow Me then be with Me and don’t bring the world with you!”
It is neither godly to have or to have not, Jesus was stating. Both will destroy you if you do not assign allegiance to the Kingdom. Spurgeon wrote,
“If riches are not the trial, worldly cares are every bit as mischievous. If we cannot be torn to pieces by the roaring lion, we may be hugged to death by the bear. The devil little cares which it is, as long as it destroys our love for Christ and our confidence in Him.”
Jesus rebuked the three would-be disciples and ignored the flattering words of manipulation that they spoke. He said to those who said they would follow,
- I have nothing in this world, so don’t follow expecting a comfortable position.
- Let the dead bury the dead… stop using others as an excuse for not serving Me.
- If you look back, you are not fit for the Kingdom of God.
My desire to follow Jesus needs more than a moral compass, it needs a light to my path to produce character. The lack of persecution coupled by unparalleled wealth in the western church is translated by many as Heaven’s agreement and God’s anointing on our actions and behaviors. It is anything but and is in fact being “hugged to death by the bear.”
What light does God’s Word shed on the narrow path of discipleship? Jesus’ words point to a return to simple and humble obedience, godly authority, and lifestyles that emphasize responsible living before grand plans of “being used by God” are attempted. The prophet Micah said it best,
He has showed you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
The world is watching and couldn’t care less about most of the trinkets the modern church thinks are so cool and holy. They look for families that work, children that are obedient, moral behavior, marriages that are healthy and people who are genuine in their loyalty to one another. Does that look like your life?
The call to be disciples goes beyond catch phrases and religious behavior. It is demonstrated through the fruit of relationships, obedience to authority, and the peace and divine order of our homes, those things and one other. Call it a heart commitment, one selfless choice that leads to another or simply a life that responds to His call but in the end it is this… when He calls do you follow?
Thus saith the Lord,
Stand ye in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where is the good way,
and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
{ 220 comments }