AFTER MOST of those who were going up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tents had left Capernaum, Jesus began his journey with his disciples. All who saw him going toward Jerusalem, and even his disciples, thought that now he was surely on his way to take his throne and rule the people as king of Israel.
Just as they were starting, a man who was one of the teachers of the law came to Jesus and said:
"Master, I will follow you wherever you may go." He thought that by following Jesus he might have some high place in his kingdom. But Jesus saw that this man was following him only for gain. He said to him:
"You will gain nothing by following me. The foxes have holes, and the wild birds have their nests; but the Son of Man has not a place where he can lay his head."
To another man, Jesus said, "Follow me!" The man answered, "First let me go and bury my father."
Jesus said to this man, "Let those who are dead bury their dead; but do you go and spread everywhere the news of the kingdom of God."
Jesus meant by this that such matters as the burial of the dead could be cared for by others, even though they did not have a knowledge of the truth which gives life; but Jesus wanted this man to go at once and preach his gospel.
There was another man who said to Jesus, "I will follow you; but let me first go and say 'good-bye' to my friends at my home."
"Whoever looks back," answered Jesus, "after he has put his hand to the plough is of no use for the kingdom of God."
For his work Jesus wanted men who were single-hearted, giving up all, that they might follow and serve him.