Luke 9 marks an important turning point in Jesus’ ministry. After Peter confessed, “You are the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20), Jesus began to explain that He would suffer, die, and rise again. Then Luke 9:51 tells us, “He set His face to go to Jerusalem.” Jesus knew the suffering before Him, yet He remained completely committed to His Father’s will.
As Jesus travelled toward Jerusalem, three people expressed their desire to follow Him. Jesus used these encounters to teach three essential principles of discipleship.
1. Following Christ Requires Sacrifice. (Luke 9:57–58)
A man said, “I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus responded that foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head.
Jesus was teaching that following Him is not a promise of comfort. True discipleship requires sacrifice. Jesus Himself said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).
We may need to sacrifice our time, money, comfort, ambitions, reputation, or opportunities for the sake of Christ. Paul said, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
Missionaries such as William Carey and Amy Carmichael demonstrated this commitment by leaving their homes and security to serve Christ in India.
Let us ask ourselves: Are we following Jesus only when life is comfortable? Is Christ worth more to us than my personal plans?
2. Following Christ Requires First Priority (Luke 9:59–60)
Jesus called another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus’ response shows that nothing must take
the place that belongs to Christ.
The problem was not family responsibility
but misplaced priority. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
Many people say, “I will follow Christ after I finish my studies,” “after I establish my career,” or “after I become financially secure.” But delayed obedience can become disobedience.
Jesus commanded, “Go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” The Gospel is urgent. Every believer is called to witness for Christ wherever God has placed them (Acts 1:8).
Who has first place in our life—family, career, possessions, ambitions, or Christ? When Jesus is first, everything else finds its proper place.
3. Following Christ Requires total Commitment. (Luke 9:61–62)
A third man said, “Lord, I will follow You, but first let me go back and say goodbye.” The word “but” revealed a divided heart.
Jesus answered, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
A farmer must look ahead to make a straight furrow. Likewise, a disciple cannot move forward while continually looking backward. Lot’s wife looked back toward Sodom (Genesis 19:17). Demas forsook Paul because he loved the present world (2 Timothy 4:10).
In contrast, Paul said, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward… I press toward the goal” (Philippians 3:13–14).
Jesus Himself is our perfect example. “He set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Even in Gethsemane He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Conclusion
Luke 9:57–62 gives us three requirements of true discipleship:
• Sacrifice — Be willing to surrender comfort and personal ambitions.
• First Priority — Put Christ above every relationship, responsibility, and possession.
• Undivided Commitment — Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and do not turn back.
Jesus still says, “Follow Me.” Let us follow Him with our whole heart, place Him above everything else, and remain faithful until the end. May our lives demonstrate no reserves, no retreat, and no regrets in serving Christ.
