No “But First” in the Kingdom of God
Why wholehearted commitment matters more than comfort or security
Welcome to today’s reflection.
We all have our reasons for hesitation. Some of them sound noble. Some of them sound sensible. Most of them feel… responsible.
Luke records a moment where Jesus meets four would-be followers on the road to Jerusalem, and he responds to each one differently. Not because he’s inconsistent, but because he knows exactly where each person is getting stuck.
This isn’t a reflection about trying harder. It’s about noticing the quiet little phrases we use to keep discipleship on hold. The ones that begin with yes… and then slip in a ‘but first’
I’ve always been struck by the way stories in the Gospels show normal people reacting so differently when they encounter Jesus. Some are hostile, some enthusiastic, some hesitant. What fascinates me is that Jesus doesn’t treat them all the same. He seems to know what each heart needs, sometimes kindness, sometimes a challenge, sometimes a sharp word that cuts through the excuses.
In one scene from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is travelling towards Jerusalem. He knows what lies ahead: betrayal, suffering, and even death. On the way, he meets four very different kinds of people.
