Let us pray: Show us Your ways, O Lord; teach us Your paths. Lead us in Your truth and teach us, for You are the GOD of our salvation; on You we wait all the day. Amen.
Today’s Gospel is about JESUS’ journey to Jerusalem to accomplish His work of salvation there. That is where JESUS would give up His life to save people from sin. Then He would rule as King from Heaven. A village in Samaria refused to let JESUS stay there while He travelled to Jerusalem, as we know that Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, but JESUS didn’t punish them. Even though His two disciples James and John in their zeal wanted to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them. No wonder JESUS gave them the nickname “Sons of Thunder”. It is because of their passionate and sometimes fiery personalities. So at this point they were indignant at this rejection. They viewed it as a grave insult to JESUS, without knowing that JESUS was ready to face any challenges or adversity for the salvation of the world. That’s why He rebuked them for their suggestion, demonstrating that His way is not one of vengeance or destruction, but of love and redemption. He shows them that they do not understand the true nature of His Kingdom and that the Son of Man did not come to destroy people’s lives but to save them. As John the Evangelist would say, “For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For GOD did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
That makes me want to ask you a question: How do you feel when you tell people about JESUS, but they don’t bother to receive Him? How do you feel when you see non-believers not accepting the Gospel? Do you get angry? Do you judge them, telling them that they won’t go to Heaven, but will burn in hell? No, that is not how we do things in GOD’s Kingdom. JESUS does not force anyone to accept or follow Him, but each person makes their own decision, even though they may not know what is in store for them if they do
not make the right decision. However, we are not allowed to judge them, but rather we should pray that one day GOD will soften their hearts until they too see the need to repent and accept JESUS as the Lord and Savior of their lives, so that the Kingdom of Heaven may expand on earth.
Now it happened, as they journeyed on the Road to Jerusalem, that someone offered to follow JESUS anywhere and JESUS responded, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” That response tells us the lack of material possessions and physical comfort in JESUS’ life as he traveled and preached the Kingdom of GOD. He was often dependent on the hospitality of others and did not have a permanent dwelling, highlighting the depths of His humility and the high cost of true commitment to His mission. So what JESUS was trying to tell that man is that the call to follow Him is not a promise of worldly comfort, but a radical invitation to a life of service and sacrifice. Therefore, every follower of JESUS in this Kingdom of GOD that we are in must expect to sacrifice his/her life for the sake of the Gospel to be spread in the world through his/her life. Do not expect only the glory of the world. Yes! See, the glory of the world is given to us because it is written about us that we will inherit the world, but let it not be the most important thing for us, because it is temporary, it will pass! But our mind must be on the kingdom of GOD and its increase!
As they continued on their journey, JESUS said to another, “Follow me”, but his response was, “LORD let me first go and bury my father”, and JESUS said, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but go and preach the Kingdom of GOD”. What kind of saying is this? Did JESUS mean that if we are his followers we are not allowed to bury our own people when they die? No, but He emphasizes the urgency and priority of proclaiming the Kingdom of GOD, even above traditional duties like burying a deceased parent. In other words, following JESUS is a demanding commitment that requires putting GOD’s work first in everything!
The last one came to JESUS and offered to follow Him, but first he wanted to go and bid them farewell who are at his house! And JESUS said: “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of GOD!” The farmers would understand this better! The image of a farmer using a plow to make straight rows in the field illustrates the idea of focused effort and commitment. Looking back while plowing would result in crooked rows, just as looking back while following JESUS can hinder one’s spiritual progress. Therefore, this statement of JESUS shows us the need for unwavering focus and commitment when following JESUS. It suggests that one should not be easily swayed by worldly desires or past regrets, and encourages believers to leave behind their old life and embrace a new commitment to following JESUS. This doesn’t necessarily mean literally forgetting the past, but rather not being controlled or hindered by it, because looking back can disqualify a person from fully participating in or experiencing the benefits of GOD’s kingdom. Therefore, all these three responses of JESUS are about prioritizing GOD’s Kingdom above all else.
One might ask: “How can I do all this to be a true follower of JESUS? What can I do to exalt the Kingdom of GOD above all else?” The answer is near, not far. The Apostle Paul answered your question in the second lesson: “Walk in the SPIRIT, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the SPIRIT, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” He listed all the works of the flesh that you should put away if you find them in yourself, because they are evil ways! These evil ways have no place in the Kingdom of GOD. The other way to live is to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT our Helper. The SPIRIT leads people to say no to everything that goes against what GOD wants. The SPIRIT leads people to follow JESUSʼ example. This is seen in the way that people think, speak and act. Paul had a name for the ways of thinking, speaking and acting like JESUS. He called them the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT. These ways donʼt depend on rules that control people from the outside. They are the result of the HOLY SPIRIT changing a personʼs heart!
That is why, in the first lesson, the HOLY SPIRIT spoke about Elisha—before GOD took Elijah to heaven, Elisha asked for a double share of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha wasn’t talking about the spiritual part of Elijah. He was talking about the power of the HOLY SPIRIT in Elijah’s life and work; and this was how Elisha showed that he wanted to serve GOD as a faithful prophet like Elijah. If you read the entire story of Elisha, you will discover how many good works that are the fruits of the HOLY SPIRIT he did, especially for the people among whom he was! This is an indication that there is no good or expansion of the Kingdom of GOD on earth without a follower of JESUS being led by the HOLY SPIRIT! Therefore, allow the HOLY SPIRIT to change your heart, crucify your flesh with its passions and desires daily, and walk in the SPIRIT. Amen.