But First...

“Jesus, I will follow you, but first...”
Luke chapter 9 recounts the words of three would-be followers of Christ. They intend to follow as long as certain circumstances in their lives have been resolved. These “obstacles” to answering Christ’s call include: a desire for a reasonable standard of living (Luke 9:58), a desire to wait for a more appropriate time (Luke 9:59), and a desire to avoid relational offense (Luke 9:61).
None of these desires were unreasonable in themselves, and we must not mistreat others, but Christ’s call was urgent and emphatic. He had set His face to go to Jerusalem and offer Himself for the sin of the world saying, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) When Christ calls us to Himself or to some task there can be nothing more important than that call. “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” and “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60, 62) Not all are called to pastorates or mission fields. Some calls are as simple as loving your spouse, raising godly children, and being a trustworthy neighbor as you share Christ where God has placed you. The question for us all is: are we completely available for God’s calling with no ifs, ands, or buts? Are we willing to follow even when the timing or circumstances are less than ideal? Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37-38, NKJV)