Jesus’ Words

Jesus’ Words

Luke 9:58, NKJV

Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Luke 9:60, NKJV

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:62, NKJV

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Setting the Scene

At one point in their months together, John tells us, “Many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66, NIV). Jesus then asked the Twelve: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” (John 6:67, NIV). Peter’s response on behalf of the disciples helps us understand the three statements by Jesus to the potential disciples: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68, NKJV).

To these uncertain disciples, Jesus also offered words of eternal life. In the first case, Jesus offered the man a picture of the Son of Man without a place to lay his head. “If you are following the Son of Man, who has no place to lay his head, don’t expect to have a place for your head either.” The words of eternal life for this man pointed to Kingdom values that make the pleasures and privileges of this world incidental rather than guaranteed. When we say, “I will follow you anywhere, Jesus,” do we really mean anywhere?

In the second exchange, Jesus pointed out that death cannot demand a higher priority than eternal life. “I am calling you to the only life that can put death into its true place. Instead of burying your father, I want you to preach the Kingdom of God to him while he lives!”

The third man learned that the Kingdom of God must take precedence over everything else. Eternal life invalidates good-byes. “I’m calling you to a life where you will never have to say good-bye. If you insist on treating life as a time-bound existence, you are not fit for my Kingdom.”

Getting Personal

When you consider the various familiar statements Jesus made, which ones come to you most clearly as “words of eternal life”?

How do Jesus’ words of eternal life challenge your own commitment to him?

In a world that devalues words, Jesus makes an uncompromising call to commitment. We can’t be disciples when we’re giving attention to both the world and to Jesus. He doesn’t share first place with anyone or anything else.

Talking to God

Respond to Jesus’ teaching by thanking the Lord for helping you to discover who has the words of eternal life. Ask for God’s guidance in shaping your plans so that they fall under the essential primacy of his lordship.