Church History:First we have a man who is determined to follow Christ, but he seems to have been hasty and rash, and not to have counted the cost. If we mean to follow Christ, we must lay aside the thoughts of great things in the world. Let us not try to join the profession of Christianity, with seeking after worldly advantages.
Another man seems resolved to follow Christ, but he begs a short delay. To this man Christ first gave the call; he said to him, Follow me. Religion teaches us to be kind and good, to show piety at home, and to requite our parents; but we must not make these an excuse for neglecting our duty to God.
A third man is willing to follow Christ, but he must have a little time to talk with his friends about it, and to set in order his household affairs, and give directions concerning them. He seemed to have worldly concerns more upon his heart than he ought to have, and he was willing to enter into a temptation leading him from his purpose of following Christ. No one can do any business in a proper manner, if he is attending to other things. Those who begin with the work of God, must resolve to go on, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back, leads to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. He only that endures to the end shall be saved.7
A person resolving to follow Christ, a good resolution if made deliberately and wisely, not for sinister ends, or secular advantages, which it is to be feared was the case here, by our Savior's answer; Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
As if Christ had said, "My condition in the world is very poor, I have no house of residence that I call my own; the birds of the air have their fixed nests, and the beasts of the earth have their dens and holes, but I have no fixed habitation; therefore if you plan to follow me for the sake of worldly advantage, you will find yourself greatly disappointed."
Men will find themselves miserably mistaken, and greatly disappointed, if they expect to gain any thing by the following of Christ, but their souls' salvation. It was a common opinion among the Jews, that the disciples of the Messiah should get wealth and honor by following him. It is likely what this person said proceeded from this opinion; accordingly Christ discourages him from such expectations, by laying before him his mean, poor, and low condition, in which he was to be followed by his disciples; as if Christ had said, "If you expect temporal advantages by following of me, you will be much mistaken, for I have nothing I can call my own."
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