Breaking the Word

 As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." (To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."  (Lk 9:57-62)

Following Jesus does not take one to a home. Because foxes have dens and birds of the air have their nests to rest. Jesus’ journey does not lead him to a home and in fact he does not have one. He has set his foot towards Jerusalem and there is no rest for him in Jerusalem. He goes there to be hanged on the cross. And that was not the place of rest. Anyone who wants to be a follower should not seek for a secure place of rest.

Second follower (would have been a follower) wanted to go and fulfill his duty towards his father and then come back to follow him. There was no time to wait for one to complete his duties. Following Jesus is imminent and there was no time delay for that. If one wants to complete all his duties (however right and just they may be) to follow Jesus then he could not be a follower.

Third follower wanted to keep up his relationship. He wanted to give time and space for them. He wanted to greet them and then he wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus said there was time even to turn back. The journey that Jesus is making has not time frame (to bury the father)and no space frame (home) and no relations to greet (person). Kingdom is so important one should be ready to sacrifice all these: space, time and relationship.

When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.  (Lk 9:51-56)

Jesus was completing his mission. The days were fulfilled and so he decided journey towards Jerusalem. The journey had to reach Jerusalem for the final run. He also sent messengers ahead to prepare his way. So Jesus is sure of his journey and the goal of journey is clear and visible and the preparation for the journey is also done. There is no turning back.

They had to journey through Samaritan village. Samaritans would have welcomed them, probably, if his journey was not turned towards Jerusalem. Samaritans did not accept the worship of God in Jerusalem. The enmity was also shown in religion and in worship. Jesus also was opposed by the Samaritans because of his link with Jerusalem. 

The disciples particularly James and John wanted to bring fire from heaven to destroy them because they were opposed to Jesus’ journey. Jesus answer to the disciples and his action in this situation is quite interesting. Since Jesus was set for his journey to Jerusalem there should not be any delay and there was no reason to patch up or solve the problem on the way. That would only delay the arrival.