It's All About the Cross

"Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men." (Luke 9:44)

Jesus prepares Himself and His followers for the days ahead by not only telling about the events that are coming with warnings such as this, but by alluding to the meaning of the work of the cross.

In a dispute about greatness in God's Kingdom (9:46-48), Jesus concludes with an echo of His own sacrifice: "He who is least among you all will be great." Likewise, countering James' & John's desire to punish those who do not understand Jesus mission and therefore reject Him, Jesus exclaims: "The Son of Man came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

The Old Testament allusions of Luke 9:57-62 are impossible to miss. All three would-be followers of Christ are reminded that the Kingdom of God is not bought cheaply. Even the words of the third man, "first let me go and bid them farewell who are at my house (v. 62)," are almost verbatim the words spoken by Elisha who was called to follow Elijah while plowing in a field. Jesus never missed the opportunity to connect the familiar stories and teachings of the Bible to His hearers, who doubtlessly knew that Elisha did not turn back to his plowing when he decided to become Elijah's servant and a prophet of the Most High. He instead killed the oxen he was plowing with and offered them as a sacrificial feast to signify his parting from his old life. He even used the yoke and other plowing equipment to feed the fire, making it clear he had no intention to return.

For Jesus, the cost of following God's will is looming larger as He approaches Jerusalem and He admonishes those who would shrink away from the narrow path. Jesus, the forerunner of our own suffering for the Kingdom of God, reminds us to remember what it takes to follow Him. All other considerations are secondary, including family obligations and comfort.

For us, the future is not as clear as a journey ending at Jerusalem. Though our ultimate Journey is to the New Jerusalem, we, like Christ have to endure what He has set before us in this life. Let us pray we have the will to humbly accept the grace of God that is our only hope of becoming fit for the Kingdom of God.