Divided Affections

Test: Luke 9:57-62

PPHC – 1/21/07 p.m.

Introduction: On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus gave His disciples a challenging look into what was involved in being a disciple (Lk. 9:57-62). He cited the cases of three men, each of whom acknowledged his lordship and His right of command. Each was a candidate for service and each found himself faced with the stringent test of the reality of discipleship.  

In the first candidate, Jesus paints the picture of a farmer plowing a field and a straight furrow from which there was to be no deviation. Everyone that comes to Christ starts out on the road to discipleship. Yet, there are many influences that deflect him from plowing a straight furrow. Three of these emerge from this passage:

I. The Impulsive Volunteer – Lk. 9:57

• “I will follow you wherever you go…”

A. Description of the Man

  1. The preaching of Christ had riveted and charmed him; his heart had swollen; his enthusiasm

had been kindled. [i]

  2. In this state, he made a voluntary and unconditional offer of service.

   a. He was prepared to go anywhere for the Lord.

  3. His sincerity never came into question…surely Jesus would accept such an offer as this.

B. Jesus Knew the Heart of Men

  1. Jn. 2:24-25 “He did not commit Himself because…he knew what was in man.”

  2. He discerned that while this man was genuine, he was not yet ready for service.

  3. He saw that his enthusiasm would quickly dissipate in times of testing.

·         It’s easy to be a Tiger or a Gamecock when you’re surrounded by 80,000 fans!!

  4. He saw within this man one that had spoken before counting the cost of discipleship.

  5. He didn’t reject the man’s offer of service but made an obscure statement that would open his

eyes to the reality of the situation…

   a. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His

head.” Lk. 9:58

C. Jesus Questions the Man

  1. “Do you know where your enthusiasm may lead you?”

   a. Jesus always wants our decisions to be intelligent decisions.

  2. So he sifts the young man…“Take your time…think it over; are you willing to pay the cost?

Are you willing to accept a lower standard of living for my sake?”

• “Nothing causes so much backsliding as enlisting disciples without letting them know what they are taking in hand” 1

   a. Just as it is expected for military recruits to be briefed on what is expected of them prior to

battle, Jesus gave the expectations of discipleship up front to would-be-followers. 

• “Follow Me”…for him, this was a test of poverty. (“Don’t be impulsive…weigh it out!”)

II. The Reluctant Recruit – Lk. 9:59

• “Lord, first let me go and bury my father…”

A. His Response Held Reservation

  1. If the first candidate was too fast, this one was too slow.

   a. To him, discipleship was a matter of secondary importance.

  2. Matthew states that this man was already a follower of Jesus when the call went out to him.

   a. Apparently, he was dragging his feet and putting other things ahead of his commitment.       

  3. He did state that he would follow Christ…but with the added, “when it suits my convenience.”

   a. He was not ready to burn all the bridges behind him.

B. Jesus’ Response to the Young Man

• “Let the dead bury the dead... ”

  1. Oriental Custom: The older son had the obligation to see to the burial of his parents. Not to

do so would have been unfilial…but there is another side to this…This was a common usage

even when there was no funeral involved. It seems to also have been a colloquial saying in

common use and really meant, “Let me attend to my family interest.”

  2. Christ was telling him that if he put God’s interests first, his family’s interest would not

suffer.

  3. God is not indifferent to family relationships and responsibilities…but they must come 2nd.

·         “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and

brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Lk. 14:26

• “I recently talked with a family man who had attended seminars that rightly stressed the importance of parents spending quality time with their children. But he carried that exhortation to an unscriptural extreme. “I must give my whole time to my family,” he said. “I am not going to any church meetings during the week, and I am not taking on any church responsibilities so that I can give time to my family.” To such a man the Lord would likely give an answer similar to that given to this man.

• “Follow me” For him, it was the test of urgency.

III. The Half-Hearted Volunteer – Lk. 9:61

• “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family.”

A. The Young Man’s Answer

  1. Has too much of “me” within it…self…

  2. His response revealed his heart…it was not with His Master…it was back home.

   a. Like this man, many are committed…but only to a limited degree.

• J. Oswald Sanders relates the following story: Two young missionaries had completed their first term of missionary service and had shown great promise. We had great hopes for them. As they left for furlough, my colleague said to me, “I don’t think we’ll see them back again.” I strongly disagreed, for I had detected no such indication. I asked him why he had formed that opinion. He replied in three words – “She never unpacked.” With greater discernment than mine, he had detected signs that her heart had never been weaned from home. They never returned. 2

  3. Those who insist on putting earthly relationships first are the ones most likely to be affercted.

   a. This usage of the text implies not a single pull, but a constant pull on the emotions and

natural affections. Haven’t we all felt that tug?

    1. A growing love for one who does not share our vision, 2. Ambitions, 3. Allurements of

material prosperity.

• “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks (keeps on looking) back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

• He looks back…his “heart” is not in his service…thought his hands are on the plow handles, his heart is not there…it’s on other things.

“Keep me from turning back!

My hand is on the plow,

My faltering hand.

The wilderness and solitary place,

The lonely desert with its interspace,

Keep me from turning back.

The handles of my plow

With tears are wet,

The shares with rust are spoiled,

And yet, and yet,

My God, my God,

Keep me from turning back.

(Anonymous)

1 – Bishop Ryle – Spiritual Discipleship, J. Oswald Sanders, p. 34

2 – Spiritual Discipleship, J. Oswald Sanders, p. 38

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[i]Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. 1997, Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA