JESUS RESOLUTELY SET OUT FOR JERUSALEM
Luke 9:51-62
Key Verse: 9:51
“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”
We have had wonderful summer 2023 through GLEF and ISBC 2023. In GLEF on July, we have learned Daniel’s faith, life of prayer, and vision of the eternal kingdom of the Son of Man. Through Daniel 12:3 which says “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever,” we have come to pray for Dream Team and Vision Team to be raised as Bible Teachers through IBS for Bible Teachers are the wise, the spiritual leaders who will lead many to righteousness and shine like the stars in our generation. After GLEF, we had attended ISBC on August/3-6. We have witnessed how the glory of Jesus had changed powerless sinners to be God’s righteousness instruments to save many lives. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The glory of Jesus as God incarnate created new lives in those who repented of their sins and accepted him. The glory of Jesus as the Lamb of God crucified for sins of the world brought the forgiveness of sins and freedom from sin and death. The glory of Jesus as the God who is the living One gives the living hope of the kingdom of God which empowers us to arise and shine the glory of Jesus through our life of faith and obedience.
Today’s passage is Luke9:51-62. We are at a major turning point in Luke’s gospel. Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. It is the end of Galilean ministry and the beginning of Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem. Luke dedicated almost half of his gospel, from 9:51-19:27, to Jesus’ ministry on the way to Jerusalem. In Luke’s record including the parable of a good Samaritan and the parable of the prodigal son, we can learn Jesus’ compassionate love toward the marginalized and abandoned and also we can learn Jesus’ earnest hope for his disciples to become true shepherds caring for such people even on the way to Jerusalem to die.
Thank God for giving this passage at the proper time to study. After the amazing work of God, Here we are back in our mission field and the fall semester will begin on September/5. During this Fall by learning Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, we may grasp his compassionate love for the lost and grow to be true shepherds like him, serving one sheep with 1:1 Bible Study. Especially through today’s passage, we may learn of Jesus’ decision to do God’s will and how to fellow Jesus through the example of 3 disciple candidates.
First, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem (9:51-56).
Since Jesus began his ministry, he had proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God wherever he went. He had taught the words of God with authority and power. Everyone was marveled at his teaching. Jesus had healed the sick and drove out demons. He even cleansed the lepers and forgave sins of the paralyzed man and public sinners like tax collectors and prostitutes. Confronting the religious leaders, Jesus protected and saved the weak by demonstrating his authority as the Son of God. Jesus raised the dead to life and gave them back to their parents. Jesus fed the hunger with spiritual bread and also physical bread. Jesus called and trained his disciples to be shepherds, teaching them about the kingdom of God and sending them out to serve God’s flock with the same compassion.
Eventually, the disciples came to know and confess that “Jesus was the God’s Messiah”. Then, from that moment, Jesus began to teach his rejection, suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus’ Galilean ministry was very fruitful and prosperous. Jesus’ Galilean ministry revealed the glory of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve
Then, what was Jesus’ next move? Look at verse 51. “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, he resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Jesus made his next move according to God’s will and God’s time. He knew that the time approached for him. The time for what? It is time to be taken up to heaven. Jesus knew that he would be rejected, suffer and die at the time of Passover in Jerusalem. Moreover, God would raise him from the dead and glorify him with the glory Jesus had before the world began. (Jn17:5) By trusting in God’s promise, Jesus saw beyond his suffering and death to his glorious ascension and final victory. With this faith, what did Jesus do? Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Knowing the will of God, Jesus made his move not to enjoy the success of the ministry, but to fulfill the will of God, even though it meant enduring suffering, rejection and death even.
Here, “Resolute” means “to decide firmly, to resolve, to make one’s mind definitely.” It was God’s will for him to go to Jerusalem, and he made up his mind to obey it. Jesus firmly decided to obey God’s will with no turning back and no second thought. What does it mean to us? Many people say, “If I know God’s will, I will do it.” But as they begin to perceive that it involves rejection, suffering, and possibly death, they are afraid and become paralyzed. But Jesus was different. He resolutely set out. It teaches us His spirit to obey God’s will, no matter what the cost, no matter what the suffering. It is so different from the prevalent life philosophy to live for ourselves. But, it was not easy to do so for Jesus even because he was fully a human. He had to struggle to deny himself and obey God’s will. Hebrews 5:7-8 gives us a hint about how Jesus struggled. It says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son, though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.”
What is the result of his obedience? Through this decision, God’s salvation plan was fulfilled and Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him (Heb 5:9). Through his obedience to death, Jesus gave us the forgiveness of all our sins and the gift of eternal life and living hope in the kingdom of God. Through his obedience, now a new and living way has been opened for us, so that we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16; 10:20).
Likewise, throughout history, God has greatly used those who made such decision to obey His will. When Apostle Paul was on the way to Jerusalem after his third mission journey, the Holy Spirit warned him that imprisonment and hardship were facing him. Many people discouraged him. But he firmly decided to obey God’s will, saying, “…I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Ac 20:24). Through his obedience, God used Rome to be his instrument to spread the gospel to all nations.
One young man moved to Turkey without any reservation, leaving his beautiful wife and two young daughters in Ukraine to obey the will of God – To preach the gospel to M-nations. Though he had gone through many failures, hardships, he never gave up nor run away from the will of God. Instead, he resolutely remained in the mission field and served God’s will by preaching and teaching the word of God. God has blessed his obedience. God has raised His 2 daughters to be Bible Teachers for Ankara Technical University. They are praying to establish Campus Bible Study group together with 2Gen missionaries. Praise the Lord for the amazing work of God! That is the fruit of one man’s absolute obedience to the will of God. Thank God for M. Abraham Lee and M. Matthew J Kim’ Decision to obey the will of God. They resolutely decide to go out campus to preach the gospel of Jesus. God will surely bless their decision with 12 New Bible students in this fall semester. Amen.
Here we learn that knowing the will of God is not enough; we need to make a decision to obey the will of God. What is the will of God for you? The Bible tells us about God’s will. It is to preach the good news to all nations (24:47); it is to feed God’s flock; it is to be shepherds for God’s flock; it is to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation; it is to rise and shine the glory of God; it is to raise 7000 spiritual leaders through 1:1 bible Study and Disciple making. What a wonderful words of life! However, unless we practically make a decision to obey the will of God, nothing will happen. So, let’s resolutely decide to go out campus; to preach and teach the word of God. God will surely guide and bless us.
Look at verses 52-53. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus decided to go through Samaria. He sent messengers to prepare for him to stay there on his journey. However, the people there did not welcome Jesus, because he was heading for Jerusalem. At that time, Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other due to conflicts, among others, about the place of worship. They refused overnight shelter to any Jews traveling to Jerusalem to worship.
How did James and John respond to the rejection? They responded with fierce anger, saying, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (54) Such response actually came from their religious pride and prejudice toward Samaritans. Instead of understanding and embracing Samaritans who were different from them, James and John wanted to destroy them in the name of Jesus. We can understand James and John. It is not easy to bear rejections from students, when we go out campus to preach the gospel out of shepherd’s heart. We should know that one’s religious pride and prejudice are enemies to the gospel ministry.
Then, how did Jesus respond? Look at verse 55. Jesus rebuked such a mindset. In contrast to his disciples, Jesus was not upset at all with the Samaritans. He simply went to another village (56). Jesus responded to their rejection with patience and love. In fact, Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem not only for the Jews, but also for all gentiles including Samaritans. Jesus did not give up on these Samaritans. Later in God’s time, God worked in Samaria through Philip the evangelist and many people believed the gospel. As Jesus endured their rejection with patience and mercy, he wants us to be patient and merciful even toward those who reject our invitations. Certainly we will face rejections. Yet, there are also 7000 whom God has reserved in Rutgers campus – all with hearts prepared to receive the gospel. (1Kings19:18)We may go out campus with Jesus’ mindset; Overcoming our pride and prejudice, we may have the compassion of Christ for all kinds of people and find 7000 whom God has reserved.
Second, fit for service in the kingdom of God (9:57-62).
As they were walking along the road, Jesus encountered three disciple candidates. Two of them volunteered to follow him, and the other, Jesus invited. These three encounters teach us how to follow Jesus in his way, and not in our own way.
Look at verses 57-58. The first man said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Wow! What a promise. It sounds like he would be a man of faith, a great candidate to be a disciple. If I were Jesus, I would welcome him gladly. It is so hard to come across a student who even responds with “I’ll think about it.” This man said, “I will follow you! I will study the Bible.” But, to our surprise, Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (58). What Jesus said is true. Though he is the Son of God, he came into this world as a human being and at birth he was laid in a manger. He lived a most humble life. He had no house or car or personal property. He poured his whole life into going through cities and villages, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, while others might be busy to pursue carrier, fame, power, and money. While on earth, Jesus lived the life of giving, serving, and sacrificing. He gave even his own life for the sin of the world on a cross.
Then, what does Jesus mean by saying this? It is to teach him that following Jesus is the way of humility and sacrifices for the sake of others. It is to asking him if he is ready to pay the cost of following him: “Are you ready to give, serve and sacrifice your own life even, as Jesus did? In the world following famous teachers or influencers, people expect to gain things of the world. When you decide to follow Jesus, what do you expect from him? Jesus called the disciples to live life of giving, serving, and sacrificing to save many lives. Jesus did not promise fame, wealth, nor any earthy security. But, he promises the eternal life, the living hope of the kingdom of God. Because of this hope, we live the life of serving, giving, and sacrificing by following Jesus. When Jesus, our Chief Shepherd, appears, we will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away (1Pe 5:4). Are we ready to live sacrificially so we can spread the good news of the kingdom?
The second encounter was initiated by Jesus. Look at verse 59. He said to another man, “Follow me” (59a). It was the glorious invitation of the Son of God. Jesus had a great hope for him. When Peter, Andrew, James and John and even Matthew heard Jesus’ invitation- “Follow me,” all they made an immediate decision to leave everything – even their father behind and followed Jesus. but, how did he reply? This man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father” (59b). To bury a deceased parent is an important duty. This request seems reasonable. Then, look at what Jesus said to him in verse 60. “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” For the man, his duty as a son has priority over following Jesus. But for Jesus and for anyone who follows Jesus, the kingdom of God has priority even over our beloved family members.
We have many responsibilities as a father or mother, as a son or daughter, as a husband or wife, as a brother or sister, as a student or teacher. It does not mean that we should abandon our family members. It simply means to seek first the kingdom of God. It means to put first priority on the kingdom of God. When we seek any other things first, we cannot actually follow Jesus; we cannot be his disciples. Jesus said in Matthew 10:37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” As disciples of Jesus, our top priority is to follow Jesus and to proclaim the kingdom of God. Such people are worthy of Jesus, the Son of God. Are we ready to follow Jesus as our top priority? Are we proclaiming the kingdom of God as our first priority?
Then, a third person came to Jesus and said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family” (61). It sounds like a normal and kind request. This man knew that following Jesus was important. But since he had attachment to his family, he tried to follow Jesus with divided heart. Look at verse 62. Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” No one can follow Jesus with a divided hearts.
Here Jesus uses a metaphor to explain the importance of single hearted devotion. When a farmer plowed behind an ox, he needed to keep a straight path to plant to seed in orderly rows. If he looked back, the plow would fall right or left and even the ox would go right, left and then right. His furrow would be crooked and the field would be messed up. It might be like driving a car while texting messages; doing Bible Study while playing games in a smart phone; listening to a message while surfing internet on your phone.
Following Jesus requires full commitment and single-hearted devotion. There are so many things that distract us such as desires of the world, sentimental feelings, worldly ambitions, and hardships or persecutions. What should we do? We should not look back. Rather we need to fix our eyes on Jesus. Do not let any earthly things distract our service to Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 says “.. let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race mark out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and run the race of faith. The work of God cannot be done by one’s ability, or money, or power. It can be done through those who commit their lives to God; through those who love God and obey God wholeheartedly; through those who are faithful to God.
We are about to begin Fall Semester Campus ministry. Let us make a new decision to follow Jesus. Let us follow Jesus humble and sacrificially, let us follow Jesus as our first priority; let us follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Some may think if Jesus asks us too much? Look at verse 51. Jesus had full commitment to God’s mission; Jesus served God with undivided heart and devotion; He obeyed the will of God with absolute obedience. In this way, Jesus completed God’s salvation work and brought us the forgiveness of sins and the living hope in the kingdom of God. Let us resolutely follow Jesus as the true disciples of Jesus, as the kingdom workers.