As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56and they went to another village. 57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." 59He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." 62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:51-52

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Jesus wears a lot of different hats. He is a teacher, healer, comforter, and a prophet. In today’s scripture he is a man with a mission. Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem. He does not have time to rest or teach in the synagogue. His direction is set. He knows what he must do, and Jerusalem is his destination.

Along his travel toward Jerusalem, Jesus encounters three different types of opposition to his ministry. The first opposition comes from those on the outside who do not believe. Jesus has sent messengers to a Samaritan village ahead of him to make preparations for his visit. The people in that town would not welcome Jesus because he was headed to Jerusalem. Tension between the Jews and Samaritans was likely the cause of their rejection of Jesus. This is not the first time Jesus was not welcomed in a town. His hometown, Nazareth, had also refused to extend a hand of welcome (Luke 4:16-30).

The second and third oppositions come while Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem. Along the road, Jesus encounters three different people. Each of them expresses their desire to go with Jesus and follow him. Each of the would-be followers tell Jesus that they need to get things in order before they hit the road with him; thus the second opposition Jesus faces is competing with the demands in other’s lives. This goes closely with the third opposition: the opposition within one’s self. Each of the would-be followers desire to follow Jesus, but they have not completely resolved within themselves to wholeheartedly dedicate their lives to him. Jesus responds to each of them in a no nonsense kind of way. He basically tells them, “You don’t REALLY want to follow me.”

Jesus is used to encountering opposition. He and his disciples discovered early on that opposition is part of being loyal to God. Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus avoid conflict; rather, he uses these moments to build faith and direct others toward the truth. By example, Jesus is preparing his disciples for the road ahead. Conflict will not cease in Jesus’ absence, but more will arise.

I haven’t met anyone who is a big fan of conflict. For most of us, it is not something that we seek out. On the contrary we try and avoid it at all costs, hoping that it will go away by our inaction. As in this scripture, we encounter conflict on a variety of fronts. We encounter people daily who are not supportive of us. We have conflicting duties in life that demand our attention. Most disturbing is the conflict that we have in ourselves. Conflict surrounds us, especially when it comes to living a life of faith. Nowhere in scripture does Jesus promise that this will get better, rather he confronts us with the reality that this is how it is going to be.

As a disciple, our charge is to make a decision to put God first in all things. This is not a remedy to avoid conflict; rather it is a centering anchor in our lives when conflict arises. Jesus does not have time for half-hearted wavering disciples; rather he needs a commitment from us to dedicate our whole selves to his purpose.

Prayer: Jesus give me the courage to put you first in all things. Amen.