An Exacting Discipleship

Luke 9:49-62

GOLDEN TEXT: “No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”—Luke 9:62

IN THIS lesson we have two important phases of Christian discipleship brought to our attention. One has to do with our attitude toward those who may not fully agree with us, and who are not working along the same lines as the Lord has indicated His will for us to be. The other reveals how circumscribed the Christian life really is, and reveals the necessity of one who is fully consecrated to the Lord laying aside all other interests save those which pertain to the all-important thing of following in the footsteps of the Master. The Master’s words, “Let the dead bury their dead, come thou and follow Me,” remind us of the Lord’s invitation to consecration as outlined in the 45th Psalm which reads: “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him.”

The lesson offers two Illustrations with respect to the Christian’s proper attitude toward others. One is contained in the narrative concerning one whom the disciples found casting out devils in Jesus’ name. They asked Jesus if they should forbid him from continuing in this work and Jesus’ reply was, “Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us.” The Christian does not have the liberty to put anything in the way to hinder others from serving the Lord according to the dictates of their own conscience. To attempt to restrain others from thus serving would be intolerant on our part.

On the other hand, we should not read into this lesson more than the Master intended. It is well to note that while Jesus did not permit His disciples to interfere with the activities of those who were not working directly with them, yet He did not extend them an invitation to co-operate. This, it seems to us, is an important distinction.

We do not need to extend co-operation to those with whom we do not agree, nor invite their co-operation with us, in order to exercise a true Christian spirit. While enthusiastically doing the things which we believe the Lord would have us do, we should not seek to interfere with those who may not understand the Lord’s will as we understand it.

Another incident of the lesson is also important! The disciples wondered whether Jesus would have them call down fire upon the Samaritans because they did not co-operate with them. In response to this, Jesus explained that such an attitude manifested a wrong spirit, a spirit that was not in keeping with the real purpose of His coming to earth. He said, “The Son of man came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

This is an important lesson. It shows that our chief concern should be that of assisting others, and not in hindering them nor pronouncing vengeance upon them. The true spirit of the Master is one of mercy and helpfulness. He laid down His life for the world even though the world did not and does not yet appreciate this great sacrifice. We are to follow in His footsteps and be willing to lay down our lives for others even though they may be opposed to what we are doing.

The last point of the lesson is also revealing in that it emphasizes the fact that the Christian life is essentially one of sacrifice. Once we enter into a covenant to do the Lord’s will, our own will as well as the will and desires of others—even those of our own household—are of secondary importance. God’s will must reign supreme in our lives, and this even though it means separation from home and friends, and even though it may mean that they of our own household become our enemies. This does not mean that we lose interest in them, but it does mean that the Lord’s will and work come first. If we are faithful in taking up our cross and following the Master, it will be our blessed privilege, ultimately, to bestow real blessings upon our friends and families. Meanwhile, as Christians, we are to let the unconsecrated carry on in their way, letting the “dead bury their dead,” while we make haste to follow the Master in the narrow way. Let us not look back, nor turn back, but instead, give all diligence to make our calling and election sure; forgetting the things that are behind—whether friends, or families, or worldly pleasures—and pressing forward to the Kingdom and its righteousness.

QUESTIONS:

Should Christians interfere with the efforts of those who are not co-operating with them?

Is it necessary, in order to show a Christian spirit, to invite the co-operation of those who do not agree with us with respect to the truth and its service?

When one reaches the point of making a full consecration to the Lord, what should be his attitude toward his family and friends?

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