Luke 9:57-62 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said to him, Lord, I will follow you wherever you go.… We have here, in connection, the story of three inquirers who came in turn to Christ. I. THE PROVIDENTIAL CONDITIONS OF THE NEW LIFE ARE ABSOLUTELY EXCLUSIVE (vers. 57, 58). The bold proffers of this scribe were met by the pathetic announcement of what their acceptance involved afterwards. 1. Our Lord's earthly career was hard and lonely. 2. Christ's followers were forewarned that they must fare entirely with Him (Matthew 10:24; John 5:18, 19). 3. Henceforth, therefore, believers were to consider themselves shut up to the lot they had accepted. We have a right to expect all solaces, defences, and sustenances in Christ; but we must rely upon Him for them. Honours and human praises, emoluments and ease, are excluded. II. THE SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE NEW LIFE ARE ABSOLUTELY EXCLUSIVE (vers. 59, 60). We are told in Matthew's Gospel that this man was already instructed to some extent; he was one of Jesus' "disciples." The duty was accepted; only a mere human wish was interposed. 1. The Bible employs the tenderest names for its illustrations of relationship between believers and God. "Thy Maker is thy husband." 2. The purpose of this use of terms seems to be to show that all lower relationships are overridden by the higher. 3. Our Saviour Himself set the fine example of this surrender. More affectionate or devoted child there never lived; but He began to draw aside from all home entanglements as He reached the conscious nearness of His public work. III. THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF THE NEW LIFE ARE ABSOLUTELY EXCLUSIVE (vers. 61, 62). We cannot help imagining there must have been some deft allusion here to Elisha's history in this reply of our Lord (1 Kings 19:20). Elisha desired the same privilege, not as an excuse for delay, but only as a tender duty of respect to those who loved him at home. He was actually at the plough when he was called by the casting of Elijah's mantle upon his shoulders. 1. Gospel experience is generous. It supplies room for all; but those who reject the offer must be left behind. 2. Gospel experience is indivisible. Philosophically speaking, it is impossible for any man to love two things supremely: "No man can serve two masters; ye cannot serve God and Mammon." That old familiar call, "My son, give Me thine heart," means the whole heart. "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways" (1 Chronicles 12:33; Psalm 12:2). 3. Gospel experience is uncompromising. All attempts to combine religion with worldliness are injurious (2 Kings 5:18). Naaman asks the privilege of going into the house of Rimmon with a show of devotion so as to keep his place at court. 4. Gospel experience is immortal. "The world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." This part of our nature is what projects itself forward beyond the confines of time. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.WEB: As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord." |
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