Luke 9:59–61 KJV 1900

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Luke 9:62 KJV 1900

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

PUTTING CHRIST FIRST

Introduction

Jesus is addressing several who had made excuses as to why they must delay following Jesus.

When we “put our hand to the plow” we must be ready for a lifetime of relationship with Christ, and following Christ.

He has our life of service and transformation planned out from start to finish, and he is glad when we do put our hand on the plow, but let us not become like those seeds thrown on shallow or rocky soil who at once seem to rejoice in Christ, only to fall away when it becomes a struggle or we get bored with it.

Obviously, there is nothing wrong with bidding farewell to one’s family, but Jesus discerns in all these excuses a halfhearted attempt to follow him without laying down their life in a way necessary to truly receive the Kingdom of God.

Being “fit for service” in God’s kingdom is to live utterly in the alternate reality that is the rule and reign of Christ in the midst of the current dominion of darkness on the earth. It is to be in the world, but radically not of it. Jesus commands not just loyalty to himself, but a whole new kind of existence.

Christ Said to a Man, “Follow Me.”

1. The man made no special objections.

2. He seemed to be willing.

3. But he wanted to bury his father first.

Another Said, “I Will Follow Thee.”

1. He seemed to be anxious.

2. His statement was volunteered.

3. His home folks came before Christ.

4. He would follow Christ if he could let his people come first.

Church Members Often Put Him Last

1. I will do this for my people, and then for the Church.

2. I will pay for my car and then pay tithes.

3. After I get out of debt I will help some then.

4. When I get more time I want to pray more.

5. I would like to attend church but have so much to do.

6. You have put Christ last.

Sinners Put Christ Last

1. I am young and have plenty of time.

2. Would like to enjoy the pleasures of sin a while longer.

3. Would like to make more money before I start.

4. I fear what my friends would say about me.

Those Who Have Put Christ Last

1. Are not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).

2. How would you like to meet Him in judgment after you have put Him last? He will put you last.

3. God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5). He must be first.

Exodus 20:5 KJV 1900

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Conclusion

Put the one first you love best. That is the way your love is measured. How much do you love God?