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Tuesday 15 March 2016

Luke 9:57-62: Count the cost!

To finish off this extraordinary chapter, Luke collects together three uncompromising replies that Jesus made in response to quite reasonable-sounding questions or requests.

First, somebody promises to follow Jesus unconditionally. Wherever you go, I'll be there. Jesus retorts that it won't be an easy ride: "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head."

Second, he asks another person to become a follower. That person hesitates: his father is ill, or dying, or dead. He asks permission to go and see to the burial, and finds permission refused. Ignore the dead! Get out there and preach!

Third, a person offers to follow Jesus, as soon as goodbyes have been said to the family. Back comes the reply: "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke, what have you done with the real Jesus?

What is going on here?  The person we've been learning about has been showing authentic care to potential followers. He's been gentle with the weak and worried, kind to the poor and perplexed. Now, he seems to throwing their family love and commitment back in their face. What has happened?

Two possible things to say occur to me.

First, there has been a significant gear change in this chapter. Jesus has been revealed as who he really is (the Transfiguration). He's begun to talk about his death, and more than once expressed impatience with his dim disciples who aren't showing much sign of shaping up. Perhaps this stern talk is in keeping with a new sense of urgency.

A second thing to say is that it's horses for courses. Jesus often tailors his reply to his enquirers - if he sensed that someone wasn't serious in their desire to follow him, he would not be afraid to challenge them, to put his finger on their compromised motivation. Anyone is welcome to come and listen to Jesus, to think about what he says, to receive his blessings. But to be a disciple? That's different. It needs real commitment.

I'm not sure how convincing I find either of those arguments, but I'm sure of one thing: if Jesus' last pronouncement is true, there's can't be many people "fit" for God's kingdom. Certainly not me.

I've had backward glances aplenty.

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