The Kingdom of God is expanded through those who place the Lord as their First Priority.

The Kingdom of God is expanded through those 

who place the Lord as their First Priority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, ‘I will follow You wherever You go.’  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.’  And He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’  But he said, ‘Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.’  But He said to him, ‘Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.’  Another also said, ‘I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at home.’  But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:57–62).

 

 

 

 

(1)    Today, as I meditate on the passage Luke 9:57–62 together with a similar Scripture, Matthew 8:19–22, I wish to receive the lessons that the Lord gives:

 

(a)    First, when Jesus was going with His disciples to another village, a scribe came to Him and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go’ (Lk. 9:57; Mt. 8:19).

 

(i)                 In Luke 9:57, Luke records, “As they were going along the road, someone…”, whereas in Matthew 8:19, Matthew records that it was “a scribe.”

 

·         Luke records that when the time was approaching for Jesus to be taken up into heaven, Jesus resolutely set His face toward Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51).  He intended to go to a Samaritan village, but they did not receive Him (vv. 52–53).  Therefore, as He went with His disciples—including James and John, who were rebuked by Jesus (vv. 54–55)—to another village, that scribe came to Jesus.

 

-             As I meditate on this passage, I find it interesting that although Jesus attempted to go to a Samaritan village and was not received by its people, in another village a scribe came to Him.  When I reflect on and apply this to myself, I realize that when, by God’s grace, I go to the mission field (or before going), and stop by Korea under the tentative name “Internet Ministry to Korea,” there are times when I attempt to approach and meet brothers and sisters whom God loves, yet those meetings do not take place.  On the other hand, there are meetings I never anticipated, where brothers or sisters contact me first and ask to meet.

 

n   Ultimately, both not meeting and meeting occur within God’s sovereignty.  Therefore, there is no need to be discouraged when we are unable to meet someone we want to meet.  Likewise, when the Lord surprises us with an unplanned meeting, I believe we should meet with a thankful heart.  What is important is the belief that no meeting is accidental, but that every meeting exists within God’s sovereignty and according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

 

(ii)               As we meditate on the statement that a scribe came to Jesus and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go’ (Lk. 9:57; Mt. 8:19), one or two questions arise:

 

·         The first question is: Why would a scribe—someone belonging to the highest elite class of Jewish society—come to Jesus and say that he would follow Him?

 

-             The first interpretation is that, according to Hochma, based on Jesus’ response in Luke 9:58, the scribe was likely attracted by Jesus’ power (Mt. 8:16).  He may have felt envy toward the proud appearance of the disciples who followed such a powerful person, and thus said that he would follow Jesus (Hochma).

 

-             The second interpretation is that the scribe, as a scholar who specialized in studying and teaching the Law, may have noticed that Jesus’ teaching had authority unlike that of the existing scribes (Mt. 7:29).  Out of academic or spiritual curiosity, he may have wanted to learn more closely the source of that teaching. Therefore, by calling Jesus “Teacher (Rabbi),” he may have acknowledged Him as a respected interpreter of the Law (Ref.: Internet).

 

·         If the second interpretation is correct, then the second question arises: Did this scribe understand Jesus’ interpretation of the Law and therefore intend to follow Him?

 

-             My answer is no.  The basis for my view is that Jesus’ interpretation of the Law moves beyond mere literal observance toward the fulfillment of love, and I believe that the scribe did not understand this interpretation.

 

n   To explain Jesus’ interpretation of the Law more concretely: Jesus taught that all the Law and the Prophets are rooted in love for God and love for neighbor (Mt. 22:37–40), emphasizing that the spirit of the Law—love—takes precedence over detailed regulations.  Jesus declared that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (5:17), which means that He completed the Old Testament sacrificial system through His own sacrifice and fulfilled the righteousness required by the Law through love (Ref.: Internet).

 

-             Furthermore, although the scribe said, ‘I will follow You wherever You go,’ I believe he was overlooking the cost (sacrifice) required to follow Jesus as a disciple (Ref.: Internet).

n   And in my view, the scribe was also overlooking the fact that Jesus was heading toward Jerusalem in order to suffer and die on the cross (Lk. 9:51, 53).  In that sense, without understanding love as the fulfillment of the Law, he spoke enthusiastically or impulsively about following Jesus (Ref.: Internet).

 

(iii)             Even today, like this scribe, we too—as Jesus’ disciples—can offer prayers of commitment saying that we will follow Jesus, yet do so enthusiastically or hastily while failing to understand God’s love as the fulfillment of the Law, to the extent that we overlook the cost (sacrifice) of discipleship.

 

·         This is a column I wrote on September 11, 2005, under the title “Pay the Cost of Discipleship!”:

 

“Salvation is received by God’s grace, but living the life of a disciple as one who has been saved requires paying a cost. However, so many Christians dislike paying the cost of discipleship.  As a result, they build only the foundation of faith (Lk. 14:29), and therefore easily fall into various temptations of Satan and live lives that sin against God.  Another result is becoming Christians who are ridiculed (v. 29).  To the people of the world who watch us closely, we inevitably become objects of mockery and scorn because we have not paid the cost of discipleship.  Therefore, as Jesus’ disciples, we must pay the cost of discipleship.  We must carry our own crosses and follow Jesus.  We must not merely carry decorative crosses while going in and out of church, without the cross in our hearts or in our lives.  We must fall down at the feet of Jesus, who makes disciples, and listen to His voice.  And in order to pay the cost of discipleship, we must seek God’s sufficient grace.  In other words, we must seek God’s power that is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).  With the hope of the gospel, we must be prepared and willing to sacrifice for the sake of that gospel.”

 

(b)    Second, Jesus said to the scribe, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but I have nowhere to lay My head’ (Lk. 9:58; Mt. 8:20).

 

(i)                 Jesus’ response, which is rich in implication, sharply discerns the scribe’s intention and signifies that becoming Jesus’ disciple with such motives cannot be accepted (Hochma).  At the same time, it is Jesus’ answer that teaches the real, practical sacrifices involved in following Him (Internet).

 

·            Following Jesus has nothing to do with power, wealth, or honor.  On the contrary, it does not even guarantee the most minimal place to live that is granted to animals such as foxes or birds.  Following Jesus is not a careerist pursuit aimed at securing stable food, clothing, and shelter and then advancing toward personal success and prestige.  Rather, it is sometimes a life of being rejected by people, wandering without a stable dwelling, and sacrificing oneself in order to give life to others (Lk. 9:23) (Hochma).

 

-             1. Extreme Humiliation and Voluntary Poverty

 

Although Jesus is the Lord of all creation, on this earth He lived a thoroughly itinerant life, lower than even insignificant creatures such as foxes or birds.  This makes it clear that the path of following the Lord is not one that guarantees comfortable settlement or economic stability.

 

2.   A Warning Against Worldly Rewards

 

At that time, scribes enjoyed high social status and respect.  To the scribe who may have expected to gain even greater authority by following Jesus, Jesus declared, ‘I have no political or material shelter such as you are expecting.’

 

3.  A Path of Spiritual Rejection and Suffering

 

The phrase ‘nowhere to lay My head’ goes beyond the literal lack of a place to sleep and implies that the world would reject and exclude the Messiah.  Jesus emphasized that the path of a disciple is not one welcomed by the world, but a path of sharing in suffering together with the Lord.

 

4.  A Mission-Centered Life

 

Rather than settling permanently in one place and enjoying personal security, Jesus lived a mission-prioritized life, constantly moving to save souls.  This teaches that disciples, too, must be willing to endure discomfort for the sake of the Kingdom of God rather than placing their hope in this world” (Internet).

 

(c)    Third, when Jesus said to another person (one of the disciples), “Follow Me,” the man replied, ‘Please allow me first to go and bury my father.’  But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead; but you, follow Me, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God’ (Lk. 9:59–60; Mt. 8:21–22).

 

(i)                 In Luke 9:59, Luke refers to this person as “another,” while in Matthew 8:21, Matthew calls him “another of the disciples.”  When these two passages are meditated upon together, this second person is identified as a “disciple,” and this also implies that the first person—the “scribe” (Mt. 8:19) [the “someone” in Luke 9:57]—was likewise considered a “disciple” [“another of the disciples” (Mt. 8:21)].

 

·            Then what does Matthew mean by the term “disciple” here?

 

-             Scripture uses the term “disciple” in two senses: (1) In the narrow sense: those who were specially called by Jesus and left everything behind (e.g., the Twelve Apostles); (2) In the broader sense: those who were interested in Jesus’ teaching and followed Him along His journeys (e.g., the group of seventy sent out, or crowds who followed out of curiosity) (Internet).

 

(ii)               When Jesus said to one of these disciples, “Follow Me,” he responded, ‘Please allow me first to go and bury my father’ (Lk. 9:59).

 

·            Theologians interpret this request—“Please allow me first to go and bury my father”—not as meaning, “My father has died today, so please let me attend the funeral.”  Rather, it strongly implies, “Let me stay at home and care for my father until he dies, and after completing the burial rites (which could be years later), I will follow You.”  In Jewish society at that time, caring for one’s parents and burying them was considered the highest act of filial piety, and thus it was presented as a legitimate reason for postponing the Lord’s call (Internet).

 

-             When I reflect on this disciple’s excuse for delay, I am reminded of the words preached by our church’s senior pastor during the Wednesday service on June 22, 2022, and of verses 2–3 in the new hymnal, “Jesus Is Calling”: (Verse 2) You may not be able to go far away and save the Gentiles, But as you walk near your own home, there are many sinners to be saved.  You may not speak like an angel nor be like Paul, But proclaim with all your strength that Jesus has redeemed them.  (Verse 3) Jesus calls you to save those who are perishing; Do not make excuses saying you have no strength.  Faithfully and joyfully fulfill the duty the Lord has given you, And when He calls, let your answer be, ‘Here am I; send me.’”

 

n     Without “making excuses that I lack strength,” and as the Lord calls me, I confess in faith, “I love You, O LORD, my strength” (Ps. 18:1), and I pray that I may obey the Lord’s call, faithfully serving with gratitude and joy in the ministry that the Lord has graciously entrusted to me.

 

(iii)             However, Jesus said to that disciple, “Leave the burial of the dead to those who are spiritually dead, but you follow Me, and go and proclaim the Kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:60; Mt. 8:22).  Here, “the dead” refers to those who have physically died and thus have become the objects of burial, while “the spiritually dead” refers to those who do not believe in Jesus and are spiritually dead because of disobedience and sin (Eph. 2:1).  In other words, Jesus was telling the disciple to entrust physical burial matters to the spiritually dead people of the world (Ref.: Internet).

 

·            And Jesus said two things to this disciple: (1) “Follow Me” (Mt. 8:22), and (2) “Go and proclaim the Kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:60).

 

-          (1) “Follow Me”: This command of Jesus is not merely an instruction to walk behind Him physically, but a powerful call to completely reorganize the sovereignty and priorities of one’s life (Internet):

 

1.       Immediate obedience (Immediacy)

 

This command allows no conditions such as ‘when I have more time later’ or ‘after I finish my own affairs.’ Jesus teaches that responding immediately to the Lord’s call is more urgent than even the most seemingly legitimate human duty (a funeral).

 

2.       Absolute priority (Priority)

 

By addressing him directly as ‘you,’ Jesus emphasizes a one-on-one relationship between the Lord and the disciple, not one governed by public opinion or social customs. This means that even the most precious values in the world (family, filial duty) must yield priority before the values of the Kingdom of God.

 

3.       An invitation to the way of life (Mission)

 

Rather than remaining bound to caring for the dead (the past/death), this is an invitation to move toward giving life (the future/the gospel).  Following Jesus does not merely mean physical movement, but a radical transition into a new life centered on the mission of proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

 

4.       The authority of Jesus (Authority)

 

While rabbis of that time allowed disciples to come to them voluntarily, Jesus personally chose His disciples and commanded them.  The words ‘Follow Me’ proclaim that Jesus is the true Lord of our lives and that His command stands above all human customs and laws.”

 

-          (2) “Go and proclaim the Kingdom of God”: This command of Jesus succinctly reveal the essence and urgency of the disciple’s mission and carry the following deep meanings (Internet):

 

1.       A shift in mission: from ‘death’ to ‘life’

 

This command contrasts with the earlier statement, ‘Let the dead bury their dead.’ While burial deals with tending to a life that has already ended (the past), proclaiming the Kingdom of God is the work of giving life to dying souls (the present and the future).  Jesus desired that His disciple not remain trapped in sorrow and the past, but move immediately into the dynamic field where lives are saved.

 

2.       The disciple’s identity (Identity)

 

A disciple is not merely a ‘fan’ who follows Jesus as a spectator, but an ambassador who proclaims the Lord’s reign and gospel to the world.  Jesus emphasized that the act of following must necessarily lead to the act of preaching.

 

3.       Proclaiming God’s reign

 

Proclaiming the ‘Kingdom of God’ does not merely refer to heaven after death.  It means declaring that God’s rule has arrived here and now, and inviting people to break free from worldly values (money, honor, power) and come under God’s sovereign rule.

 

4.       An urgency that cannot be postponed

 

The command ‘go’ demands immediate action.  While human duties (funerals, farewells) are important, Jesus reminds us that the work of saving souls has a far more urgent ‘golden time’ that must not be missed.

 

In summary: This statement is a powerful commissioning message that tells disciples, ‘Do not hesitate or linger, bound by worldly customs, but place the life-giving mission entrusted to you as your highest priority.’”

 

(d)    Finally, fourth, when another person said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but first please allow me to say farewell to my family,’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God’ (Lk. 9:61–62).

 

(i)                 First, this other person said to Jesus, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but first please allow me to say farewell to my family’ (Lk. 9:61).  On the surface, this request appears polite and a perfectly reasonable human obligation.  Spiritually, however, it contains dangerous elements of divided focus and delayed commitment. Its meaning can be summarized in three key points (Internet):

 

1.       ‘I will follow You, but…’ (Conditional obedience)

 

Although this person had the intention to follow the Lord, he attached a condition beforehand.

 

A clash of authority: Discipleship requires immediate response to the Lord’s leading, yet this man still wanted to retain control over his own schedule and direction.

 

Lingering attachment: Saying ‘first’ indicates that he had not yet fully resolved his emotional ties and worldly relationships.

 

2.       The danger of farewells (Contrast with Elisha)

 

This scene contrasts with Elisha’s response when he was called by Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:20).

 

In Jewish custom, bidding farewell to one’s family was not a simple ‘goodbye,’ but often involved gatherings and feasts that required significant time and emotional investment.

 

Jesus was cautioning against the risk that family persuasion or emotional attachment could weaken one’s resolve to follow the call.

 

(ii)               Jesus then said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God’ (Lk. 9:62).  Here, Jesus was not denying the value of family love; rather, He was emphasizing the urgency of the work of the Kingdom of God.  Through a vivid agricultural image, Jesus teaches three core meanings of what total commitment as a disciple entails (Internet):

 

1.       Fixed focus: ‘Losing direction’

 

In ancient Palestine, when plowing with oxen, a farmer had to fix his eyes solely on a target ahead.

 

Crooked furrows: If the farmer turned his head to look back, the plow would immediately veer off course and the furrows would become crooked. Such a field could not properly receive seed.

 

Spiritual meaning: When someone who has begun the work of the Kingdom keeps looking back to worldly attachments or past life, he loses direction and bears no fruit.

 

2.       A divided heart: ‘A double-minded person’

 

Looking back does not merely mean remembering the past; it symbolizes an undecided heart.

 

Attachment and regret: Like Lot’s wife, who looked back as she left Sodom, it describes a person who has decided to follow the Lord but whose heart is still captivated by worldly comfort or human relationships.

 

Incomplete devotion: The Lord does not desire 99% commitment, but 100% wholehearted devotion. A divided heart cannot carry out the solemn work of the Kingdom of God.

 

3.       The issue of fitness: ‘A prepared worker’

 

Jesus said such a person is ‘not fit for the Kingdom of God.’

 

This is not a declaration of revoked salvation, but a realistic assessment of the attitude required to serve as a suitable worker in the great project of the Kingdom of God.

 

The Kingdom of God expands through those who place the Lord as their First Priority. With compromise or excuse-making attitudes, one cannot participate in the dynamic work of that Kingdom.

 

In conclusion, this parable asks us: “Have you taken hold of the plow (your mission)?  If so, where are you looking now?”  Jesus desires that those who have begun walking the path of discipleship do not look back toward worldly attachments, customs, or comfort, but press forward, fixing their gaze solely on Him.”