Luke 9:57-62

content/bible_journal/luke_9:57-62.md

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+title = "Luke 9:57–62"
+date = "2022-12-04"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk9.57-62)
+
+While we have seen thath the disciples were imperfect people, these verses show
+us that not just anyone will be willing to pay the true cost of following
+Jesus. The first man sounds like he'll be loyal, but Jesus says that the road
+will not be full of material comforts, or even that there will be deprivation
+because of following Him. The second man asks to fulfill a familial
+responsibility, but Jesus says it's not as important as proclaiming the kingdom
+of God, which would be extremely shocking in that culture. The third only asks
+to go say farewell to his family, but Jesus…does not actually say that
+he can't. What He does say is that he can't be concerned and worried for those
+he left behind when there is important work in front of him.
+
+The common thread in these three situations is that God wants complete devotion
+from us. We can't be partially concerned with His will and His kingdom and
+partially concerned with ourselves. We can't even be concerned for our own
+family except as that concern is subordinate to advancing God's kingdom. (And
+we should definitely be trying to build God's kingdom within our own families.
+God promises to take care of our needs, both material and spiritual, temporal
+and eternal. This frees us up to do the work that He has prepared for us to do.
+
+* * *
+
+Give us eternal perspectives, O Lord, so that our priorities line up with
+Yours.