Matt. 8:19-22 “Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.’ 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.’ Then another of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’”
Jesus had just healed Peter’s mother in law and as a result many who were infirmed or demon possessed were brought to Jesus for healing. The multitude grew in number and the demand for Jesus was increasing. As a result of His work a sense of euphoria captured the people and they began to press Him until He gave the command to leave for the other side of the sea. All of this activity had been noticed by a certain scribe. This man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go” Matt. 8:19. Jesus understood that this was a superficial commitment based on His recent activities. At this time there is little doubt that Jesus could have built up a major following but He knew they were interested in Him because of the signs He performed. This scribe had no idea of the depth of commitment needed to follow Jesus. Jesus told him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” While others rested comfortably in their homes, Jesus had no secure place to rest His head. You want to follow Jesus? Then remember the cost. Following Him means that there will be sacrifices made. This reality has squelched the excitement from superficial followers. In John 6 after the 5, 000 were fed, Jesus again was pressed and He gave them the sermon on the Bread of Life. Because they were carnally minded they didn’t get it and they left Jesus. (See John 6:66).
One of his disciples came to Him and said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Some are willing to follow but on their terms. When it is convenient I will follow you. Jesus responded, (You) follow Me and let the spiritually dead bury the physical dead. Following Jesus requires sacrifice. Notice Matt. 10:38, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” To follow Jesus we do not have to help Him carry His cross, because we have our own. When the euphoria of the miracles had ceased and the way of Jesus grew long and tiring, He knew that these shallow faith people would deny Him.
As Jesus was walking along the sea side He saw Peter and Andrew and said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He called Levi the tax collector to follow Him, Mark 2:14. He commanded Philip to follow Him, John 1:43. He told the rich young ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” Matt. 19:21. This was a sacrifice the young ruler was not ready to make. Jesus compares those who would follow Him as a flock of sheep; “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me,” John 10:27. What does it mean to “follow Jesus.” It means that we will be required to make sacrifices. We must follow Him on His terms and not our desires. To follow Jesus means, we will hear His voice and obey His words.
John 12:26 “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”