I know it’s important. I know I need to do it. I know it will help me in my walk with Christ.

I KNOW…

I KNOW…

I KNOW…

“But first…”

We’re in the middle of a gospel meeting at the congregation where I preach. A couple times a year, we invite a preacher from another congregation to come and present a series of lessons for us. The theme for this particular meeting is “A Spiritual Focus.”

Last night, our speaker, David Watson spoke about giving God our leftovers. I would encourage to take a listen. Click the link to listen HERE.

There’s a lot of good thoughts for all of us to consider where Christ is in our lives. One passage that stood out to me was from Luke 9:57-62

“As they were going along the road, someone said to Him,  ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ And He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.’ But He said to him, ‘Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.’ Another also said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at home.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ 

WOW! The teaching of Jesus is indeed challenging. A couple of things stand out from this passage.

  1. “I will follow you wherever you go.” That’s the attitude we should have as disciples of Christ. We will obey and follow. Or at least we should.
  2. “Follow Me…” Jesus desires all to follow Him. Imagine if Jesus said that to you in a one on one conversation. How amazing would that be? But would we respond any differently than the people in this text?
  3. “Permit me first…” “But first…” These phrases seem so harmless don’t they? But they are not. Not according to Jesus.

BUT FIRST…

Jesus must be First. Not our will, but His will.

BUT FIRST…

It can be easy to have a But First mentality. All of the reasons given in the text seem good.

BUT FIRST…

A question for those who are Christians is this. Is Jesus first? Do we have a “I will follow Him no matter what mindset?” Or do we have a “But first mindset?”

Who will be first in our hearts?

Jesus says, “Follow Me!”

Father in heaven, 

Thank you for another beautiful day. Thank you for life. Thank you for second chances. Thank you forgiveness of sins. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for your Son Jesus. I pray you will help me and my brothers and sisters to consistently put you and your Son first. I have failed you Father. I have allowed the cares of this world at times to consume my heart. Please forgive me. Help me to put first things first. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.