Three-Would Be Discples

Today, attended CE's morning worship. Prof Hanko preached from Luke 9:57-62.

Intro
Christ makes His own disciples and requires that they FOLLOW HIM. Followers of Christ are to follow His instruction, listen to Him and believe in all that He says.

1. Mr Overly Eager (v57)
The first person mentioned here told Christ that he will follow Him wherever He goes. This person is someone who wants to be with Christ all the time. This person is also one who is zealous and enthusiastic, characteristics that are much needed in the church.
Christ's answer in v58 is like a wet blanket. The birds and the foxes are better off than Christ and whoever follows Him. Here Christ is not trying to tell the person that his zeal and enthusiasm are displaced, but rather to tell him that being a disciple of Christ is not easy. Following Christ does not mean embarking on a path to wealth and riches.

2. Mr Family Obligations (v59)
Jesus took the initiative to ask this second person to follow Him. The person wanted to be with the Lord but he had great sorrow over his father's death. He didn't object to being a disciple of Christ but wanted to bury his father first. He was just trying to fulfil his obligations towards his father who has brought him up (5th Commandment - Honour thy father & mother).
However, Jesus' reply in v60 is shocking. Is Christ being too much? NO. He is not saying that you should turn our back on your parents. Rather, He is saying that following Him should come FIRST. Nothing is more important than following Christ. God should take precendence over everything else. Remember somewhere else in the Bible, Jesus spoke of whoever who loves his brother/sister more than Him, is not worthy of Him?

3. Mr Worldly-minded (v61)
This last person had not the enthusiasm of the first person. He seems to say that he wants to follow Christ, merely to keep up with his peers. But he mentions that he must first 'bid farewell' to those at his home. This does not literally mean saying goodbye to his family and friends. But rather, he wants to have 1 last fling with his buddies before he follows God, or wants to have one last nice time partying with his friends whom his parents will disapprove of etc.
What was Jesus' reply to this person? We read in v62 that he talks of a farmer who should not look back when he is plowing. A farmer normally wants to make sure his furrows straight and thus, when he sets his mind on plowing, he should just keep his eyes on whatever he is doing. Can you imagine if he decides to look back to see how his furrows look? The plow will just veer off the path and then there will be a curve in the furrow. Similarly like Lot's wife. She could not free herself from the glittering Sodom and looked back. She then became a pillar of salt.
A lot of times, us youths want to make our Confession of Faith, but yet some of us don't want to let go of all the worldly things and not walk in a new and holy life. But think of it... You can't possibly spend Sun-Wed with God and Thurs-Sat with the world right?

Conclusion
FOLLOW CHRIST!!! Keep your eyes fixed upon the celestial city (as described in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress). The journey may be tough, but don't ever look back. As you make your way to the celestial city, let the Scriptures be your guide (Psa 119). :)