Jesus Sets Out for Jerusalem
"Follow Me"
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
Jesus set out for Jerusalem with his mind made up. When a Samaritan village wouldn't welcome him, James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven, but Jesus rebuked them. On the road, he told someone who offered to follow that he had no place to lay his head, and told others who wanted to follow later that no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 9:51-62
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. He is heading for Jerusalem, where he will die.
- James and John: Two brothers among the twelve disciples. Jesus called them "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17).
- A Samaritan village: A village that will not welcome Jesus.
- Three would-be followers: People who say they will follow Jesus.
Setting
- The road from Galilee toward Jerusalem, through Samaria.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, in the months before Jesus died.
Before the Story
Peter had said Jesus is the Christ. Then Jesus told his disciples he would suffer, die, and rise (9:20-22).
Jesus had shone with glory on a mountain. Moses and Elijah talked with him about his "departure" in Jerusalem (9:30-31).
Jews and Samaritans didn't get along. They disagreed about where to worship God. Samaritans worshiped on their own mountain, not in Jerusalem.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Set for Jerusalem | 9:51-53 | A Samaritan village won't welcome Jesus |
| 2. Fire from heaven? | 9:54-56 | James and John want revenge |
| 3. No place to lay his head | 9:57-58 | Someone offers to follow anywhere |
| 4. First let me... | 9:59-62 | Two others want to follow later |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Set for Jerusalem
The time was coming for Jesus to be taken up to heaven. "Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem" (9:51).
Resolutely means with his mind made up. He knew what was waiting for him there.
He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to get things ready.
But the people there wouldn't welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.
Scene 2 of 4Fire From Heaven?
James and John were angry.
"Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" (9:54).
"But Jesus turned and rebuked them" (9:55). To rebuke means to scold.
They simply went on to another village.
Scene 3 of 4No Place to Lay His Head
As they walked along the road, someone said, "I will follow You wherever You go" (9:57).
Jesus answered, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" (9:58).
Following Jesus would not be comfortable. He didn't even have a home.
Scene 4 of 4First Let Me...
Jesus said to another man, "Follow Me" (9:59).
But the man said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father" (9:59).
Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God" (9:60).
Another said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family" (9:61).
Jesus answered, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (9:62).
A farmer plowing a field has to look straight ahead. If he keeps looking back, his rows go crooked.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Resolutely set out for Jerusalem" (9:51) | Jesus chose to go to the cross. Nothing would turn him back. |
| "Refused to welcome Him" (9:53) | Jesus was rejected, as he would be in Jerusalem. |
| "Call down fire from heaven" (9:54) | James and John wanted to punish the village. |
| "Jesus turned and rebuked them" (9:55) | Jesus didn't come to destroy people, but to save them. |
| "No place to lay His head" (9:58) | Following Jesus doesn't promise comfort. |
| "Puts his hand to the plow and then looks back" (9:62) | Following Jesus means looking ahead to him. |
Back Then
Elijah once called down fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:10). James and John may have been thinking of that.
Burying your father was a sacred duty. The man's father may not even have died yet. He may have meant, "Let me wait until my father dies someday."
Elisha asked to say goodbye to his parents before following the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:19-21). Jesus asks for more.
Literal Reader Alert
Does Jesus not care about funerals or families? He does. Jesus raised a widow's son and gave him back to his mother (7:15). He is using strong words to say that following him comes first, before everything.
"Let the dead bury their own dead." What does that mean? It's a puzzling saying. Many think it means: let people who don't know God's life take care of these things. You have a more urgent job.
Did these people follow Jesus? Luke doesn't say. The question is left for us.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus | Determined | He set out for Jerusalem (9:51) |
| The Samaritans | Unwelcoming | He was going to Jerusalem (9:53) |
| James and John | Angry | The village rejected Jesus (9:54) |
| The would-be followers | Unsure | They wanted to follow, but not yet (9:59, 9:61) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What makes following Jesus hard for you? Tap one.
Being comfortable
Jesus had no place to lay his head. He'll be with you when it's hard.
"Not yet"
Many people say "later." Jesus invites you today.
Wanting revenge
James and John did too. Jesus said no.
Looking back
Jesus keeps his eyes on you. You can keep yours on him.
You Might Have Heard
"Following Jesus makes life easy."
What's true: Jesus gives joy, peace, and rest.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus was honest. Following him can cost something. But the one who asks us to follow is the one who set his face toward Jerusalem to die for us.
Where Jesus is: On the road to Jerusalem, rejected, but not turning back.
Good News
Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem. Nothing would stop him from going to the cross for us.
"Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem" (9:51).
He didn't call down fire on people who rejected him. He went to die for them. He calls you to follow, and he never looks back from you.
Jesus set out for Jerusalem, determined to save us. He calls us to follow him, and he never turns back.
Big Idea
Jesus set out for Jerusalem with his mind made up. He calls us to follow him without looking back.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that following Christ means bearing whatever cross comes, but always with Christ, who carries it with us. He said we cannot follow Jesus by our own strength. The Holy Spirit calls us and keeps us.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads Luke 9:51-62 in late June (Lectionary 13).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Sets Out for Jerusalem.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 13 Year CGospel, Luke 9:51–62
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Sets Out for Jerusalem, explained in plain words. A village won't welcome Jesus. Three people say they'll follow him, but not yet. About 7 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-sets-out-for-jerusalem/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church