Interview with Jesus
Near a Samaritan village, Jesus met three individuals who wanted to follow Him. This moment feels like an "interview with Jesus for a discipleship position." These men had likely seen Jesus' miracles or, at the very least, heard about them. They may have even witnessed His disciples performing miracles.
How would I respond if Jesus asked me today to pack my bags and move to Zambia as a missionary? Would I still feel the same joy I felt when Jesus first saved me? Would I be happy to leave behind my beautiful home in Charlotte and the safety of America? If I’m honest, I can think of many reasons why now might not be the best time to relocate to Zambia.
However, no matter what excuse I give, it won’t hold up when it’s time for my end-of-life review before God. Would Jesus Christ see me as someone who passed His discipleship interview and served faithfully?
The three men Jesus spoke to in Luke 9:57-62 were not the Apostles. Luke makes this clear in Luke 9:1: “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.”
The first man eagerly said, "I will follow you wherever you go." He seemed excited, but Jesus, knowing his heart, responded in a way that challenged the man’s commitment. Jesus said, "The Son of Man has no place to lay His head." In other words, He asked, "Are you willing to give up your comfort and security to follow me?"
The second man was personally invited by Jesus to follow Him. When #Jesus said, “Follow me,” the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus responded, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” This man’s excuse showed that his priorities were elsewhere, even though he seemed interested. It’s unclear if his father had already died or if he was waiting for him to pass. Either way, his response revealed he wasn’t fully committed.
The third man said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” A plow is used to prepare the soil for planting, and looking back while plowing would make the work harder and less productive.
Jesus’ responses to these three men were profound. Not having a home, letting the dead bury their dead, and not looking back while plowing are all powerful metaphors. What do these lessons mean for us today, especially in #America in 2024? Jesus isn’t condemning people for fulfilling their obligations; He’s warning against using those obligations as excuses for not being ready when He calls.
Whether preaching the good news or supporting those who have been called requires full commitment. Imagine God calling you to partner with me in Zambia, but I’m not ready. My lack of preparedness would hinder the work and prevent you from fulfilling your calling to the mission field.
Jesus’ responses help us navigate the tension between our call to serve and our earthly responsibilities. “The Son of Man has no place to lay His head” reminds us that the comforts of life can become obstacles to fully committing to #God. “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” teaches us that human traditions and obligations, while important, can sometimes prevent us from following God’s ways. Finally, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” emphasizes the need for focus and dedication. Distractions and divided loyalties can cause us to lose sight of our mission.
How do we balance our physical obligations with our spiritual responsibilities? Going on a mission—like to Zambia—has many benefits. It allows us to meet the people we’ve been praying for, share with them, and understand both their physical and spiritual needs. This experience can deepen our sense of urgency and change how we pray and think.
While many of us dream of going into the mission field, life’s challenges—work, family, and circumstances beyond our control—can hold us back. However, if we can't physically go to Zambia right now, we can still support those who can. Just like the believers in Antioch, who sent help to those in Judea: “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29-30). Supporting others who go into the mission field, like Zambia, is also valuable service to Christ.
As the team preparing for #Zambia makes their final preparations, there are four things we can do to support them, even if we’re not going ourselves. First, they need our spiritual support through constant prayer. Second, they need our financial support—before they go, while they’re there, and even after they return. Third, they need our emotional and moral support. Serving God’s mission is never easy, and the work can be exhausting. Finally, we need to spread the word to other believers who are also like-minded and willing to support the Zambia mission.