Lessons on the Road to (New) Jerusalem

     In the preparation of humanity for the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus was giving much instruction and hoping that the lessons that He was imparting would stick on those who followed Him.  On the road to Jerusalem, there were many opportunities for Jesus to communicate wisdom.  I have highlighted six short lessons below found in the ninth chapter of Luke.

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”   (Luke 9:43b-44 ESV)

	MAN	SON OF MAN (JESUS)
(1)	An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.  (Luke 9:46 ESV)	But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”    (Luke 9:47-48 ESV)
(2)	John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.”   (Luke 9:49 ESV)	But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:50 ESV)
(3)	And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”   (Luke 9:52-54 ESV)	But He (Jesus) turned and rebuked them.   (Luke 9:55 ESV)
(4)	As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”    (Luke 9:57 ESV)	And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”  (Luke 9:58 ESV)
(5)	To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”    (Luke 9:59 ESV)	And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”    (Luke 9:60 ESV)
(6)	Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”    (Luke 9:61 ESV)	Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”    (Luke 9:62 ESV)

     In the first lesson, it appears that humanities focus is on status, but Jesus teaches us to flip our understanding upside down.  Our hearts tell us that we need to be significant, but God tells us to elevate others.  Our Kingdom value improves when we take the focus off ourselves and place it on caring for the spiritual needs of others.          

     In the second lesson it appears that humanities focus is on exclusivity in pursuing the work of God; however, Jesus tells us that everyone is involved in Kingdom building whether believer or not.  God can use everyone in His redemption plan.  We are told not to hinder the good work of others. 

     In the third lesson, we see humanities' defensive nature.  If someone’s actions do not seem to honor the things we honor, our response is to put an end to them through retribution, but this was not Gods' way.  As Jesus had previously sent out the twelve disciples to teach the Kingdom of God, and using the same instruction when He sent out the seventy-two (chapter 10), He suggested that if someone was not welcoming to them, they were to brush the dust off their feet and move on.  In His rebuke of the disciples, it is apparent that this lesson had not rested in their understanding.

     In the fourth lesson, it appears that the one wishing to follow Jesus may have been seeking comfort and security.  Aren't we comfort seekers too?  How often do we see believers, ourselves included, looking at redemption as an "eternal insurance policy" rather than focusing on the work we have been called to do?  My deduction comes from Jesus response when He indicates that the path won’t be easy for those who follow Him.  In His incarnate journey, Jesus did not seek comfort and security by having someplace to call home.  He was missional minded and set His mind to getting Kingdom work accomplished. 

     In the fifth lesson, we see a man “somewhat” willing to follow Jesus, but he insists that there is some unfinished business with his non-believing family.  He states that he wants to bury his father first.  Jesus teaches that there is nothing more important than following Him.  As Jesus calls this mans' family, "the dead burying the dead", we see their position as non-believers.  If you, like me, have experienced the loss of a loved one in a family of non-believers, you understand the desire to change their hearts; however, only God can soften a hardened heart.  At a funeral of unbelievers, it is difficult to offer comfort even when our hearts' desire is to lovingly wake them up to the calling of God.  In this scenario, we see Jesus teach that Kingdom work must take priority over comforting the lost.  

     In the sixth lesson we again see a man telling Jesus that he wishes to follow, yet as Jesus looks at this man’s heart, He knows that the man's priorities are askew.  The man has placed unfinished earthly business ahead of Kingdom pursuits and Jesus tells him that he is unfit for the Kingdom.  We are aliens to this world, yet we plant our feet firmly in this soil.  We put the temporary ahead of the eternal and this is not Gods’ plan for us.

     Laying Scriptures side by side in a chart often helps me to see instruction much more clearly.  Jesus told His disciples to let His Words sink in; In our pursuit of wisdom, we should do the same thing.  God uses the flaws of man to teach us to discern His perfect will for our lives.