Counting the cost - questions Luke 9

  1. Luke 9:57-58 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Jesus describes the living conditions of Himself, compared to the living conditions of animals. What does Jesus communicate to the man?

  2. Luke 9:59-60 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” In hot climates people who die are burried right away. So, do you think the father of this man had passed away already? Or is there another reason to delay his following? Describe how you interpret Jesus’ answer.

  3. Luke 9:61-62 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” What may the man’s reason be to delay the following of Jesus? Then Jesus speaks about an agricultural example. What do you think is meant?

  4. In both passages 2 and 3 the phrase “first let me” is used. What does that say about the men’s priorities? Are they ready to follow Jesus?