Daily Devotional for Sunday, February 15

Kinship Prohibited a Potential Disciple

“And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house,” Luke 9:61.

I had a friend years ago who talked frequently about us having lunch. Every time the topic would come up, he would quickly interject something like, “Yeah, let’s do lunch sometime!” But whenever I would try to take him up on his offer, he always had something to do. It did not matter when I asked. For some reason, he always had an excuse why he could not go to lunch with us. Eventually, I stopped asking. My logic was sound. If you really wanted to have lunch with us, surely you could have made time for it at least once. But he never did, so clearly, he did not really want to have lunch with us.

In this passage, Jesus spoke of the commitment of His followers. When given the opportunity, one person excused themselves to bury their father (verse 59). One wanted to say goodbye to his family. They appeared interested in following the Lord until they realized that He was going to take them up on their commitment. I have seen many church members seem excited about doing something for the Lord until the time comes to do it, and then they are full of excuses. It reminds me of the parable of the great supper in Luke 14, where those that were invited to the supper made excuses why they could not be there.

“And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:18-20).

JUST A THOUGHT

When given an opportunity to serve the Lord, will you make a commitment or an excuse?

Chris Floyd