Making Difficult Choices in Discipleship

JEFF TURNER

The call to follow Jesus has always been serious, often asking people to make difficult choices. In Luke 9, Jesus invites a man to follow Him. The man responds by asking to first go and bury his father. At first glance, this seems like a reasonable request. But when we look deeper, we see something else happening.

In this situation, the man’s father was not yet dead. What he truly meant was that he wanted to stay home until his father eventually passed away, so he could receive his inheritance. Only after securing his future wealth would he be ready to follow Jesus.

Jesus’s reply was firm: “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60). This was not a denial of grief or family duties. Instead, it was a clear message about the urgency and seriousness of discipleship. When Jesus calls, it requires immediate action and full trust that He will take care of the rest.

Following Christ means placing Him first, above personal plans and material security. It calls for faith that God will provide when we choose to obey Him completely.

But [a]seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.

Matthew 6:33