Luke 9:57-62
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And 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.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Reflection
Christ does not merely call his disciples to believe certain truths and perform certain moral actions, but to follow after him. Luke has shown us that the call of the gospel does have a cost: it reveals and challenges our values and our hearts (recall Luke 2:35 and 8:14). The call of Christ lays bare whether we are devoted to God’s kingdom or whether we are split in our allegiance.
Philippians 2:19-30
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Reflection
The examples of Jesus (Phil. 2:1–11) and Paul (vv. 16–17) are not the only motivation for living joyful, selfless, and humble lives. Paul now gives the Philippians two more familiar models of servant-humility: Timothy (vv. 19–24), whom Paul hopes to send to the Philippians; and Epaphroditus (vv. 25–30), whom Paul has already sent.
Rather than looking to his own interests (v. 4), Paul’s teammate Timothy is “genuinely concerned” for the “welfare” of the Philippians (v. 20). Similarly, Epaphroditus (vv. 25–30), another partner in the gospel, demonstrates Christlike, other-centered gospel service as he nearly dies for the sake of the gospel (v. 27). Paul’s sense of gospel unity and partnership with Epaphroditus is so strong that he speaks of him as a “brother,” “fellow worker,” “fellow soldier,” “messenger,” and “minister”— all in just one verse (v. 25). Living for Christ is not easy. It requires humility, service, and courageous dependence on God’s grace. Let us look around ourselves for men and women of God who are examples of Christlike humility and service. We should honor such people (v. 29) and follow their lead, not in place of Jesus but for the sake of Jesus.
Psalm 145:10-12
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! 11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, 12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Ask God to help you maintain a single-minded devotion to his kingdom today (cf. Luke 9:57–62). Remember that he has rescued you from the darkness of this world. Let his values and priorities drive you and shape the way you live.