When we think about the ministry of Jesus on earth, three main activities usually come to mind: teaching, preaching, and healing. Jesus preached to the people, He served the poor and needy, He healed the sick, and even raised the dead. Wherever He went, large crowds often followed Him. Some came because they longed to hear His words of life, while others came seeking healing and miracles. At times, He became the center of attention, and many waited eagerly for His touch or His voice.
In such a setting, Luke 9:57–62 introduces us to a young man who approached Jesus with a bold promise: “I will follow you wherever you go.” At first glance, these words sound sincere and noble. Who would not be glad to hear someone willing to leave everything behind and join the work of the Kingdom? Yet Jesus’ response was unexpected. Instead of welcoming him warmly into the ministry, He said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Why would Jesus respond in this way? What lesson does this encounter hold for us today?
On the other hand, at another time, Jesus called a rich young ruler to follow Him, but because of his great possessions, the man went away sorrowful (Mark 10:21–22). In contrast, the man in Luke 9 was not invited by Jesus; rather, he volunteered. His eagerness seems admirable, but Jesus saw his heart. This man was drawn, not primarily by the call to serve, but by the possibility of being noticed.
The crowds surrounding Jesus, the miracles, and the fame had stirred something in him. He may have thought, If I walk with Jesus, I too will share in this recognition. People will look at me, admire me, and I will be part of something popular. But Jesus knew this man’s heart was not fully set on serving God. That is why His reply stripped away any false expectations.
Jesus essentially told him: If you follow Me, you will not gain comfort, recognition, or worldly rewards. Even the animals of the field have homes, but I, the very Son of God, live without earthly security. Following Me means embracing a life that the world may not applaud.
Think of an orchestra. Many instruments play together, but only a few are given the spotlight during a performance. Imagine a young musician who wants to join, not because he loves the music, but because he wants to stand in the front and be noticed by the audience. He would soon be disappointed when he realizes that being part of the orchestra means hours of practice, discipline, and often playing in the background where no one claps for him.
This is similar to the man in Luke 9. He wanted the spotlight of following Jesus but was not prepared for the sacrifice, humility, and hidden service that true discipleship demands.
Following Jesus has never been about comfort or convenience. It is about surrender. Jesus made it clear: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
This is not a call to misery but a call to complete devotion. A disciple is not measured by how much recognition he receives but by how faithfully he serves. Just as Jesus had no place to lay His head, His followers must be willing to let go of worldly security and trust God fully.
It is not wrong to have a home, possessions, or a career. But when these become our reason for following—or when we follow Jesus hoping for personal gain, fame, or comfort—we miss the heart of discipleship.
One who comes to Christ should not focus on what benefits he or she might receive from God, but on the joy of serving Him with a sincere heart. Christ needs people who are willing to be faithful, even if no one notices their work. True devotion is tested not when the crowd is cheering but when the journey feels lonely.
Consider the story of a missionary who worked for years in a small, remote village. Very few knew his name, and he never became famous. Yet he taught the children, cared for the sick, and prayed with the people day after day. When he died, only that village knew the depth of his love and service. From the world’s perspective, his life may not seem great. But in heaven, he was welcomed as a faithful servant.
This is the kind of follower Christ is calling us to be—those who serve quietly, faithfully, and wholeheartedly, not for recognition but for the glory of God.
The story in Luke 9 invites us to examine our own hearts. Why do we want to follow Jesus? Is it because we hope for blessings, comfort, or admiration from others? Or is it because we truly desire to serve Him, regardless of the cost?
Sometimes we may find ourselves drawn to Jesus for selfish reasons. Perhaps we want Him to solve all our problems, heal our pain, or provide success. While Jesus does care for our needs, He calls us to something deeper: a life of surrender and service.
Following Jesus does not guarantee fame or wealth. In fact, it may lead to sacrifice, humility, and hardship. But it also leads to the greatest treasure of all—eternal life with Him and the joy of knowing we have walked faithfully with our Lord.
The man in Luke 9 walked away without an answer to his promise because Jesus exposed his motives. But we can respond differently. We can choose to follow Jesus with no strings attached.
To follow Jesus is to walk in His steps—serving the poor, loving the broken, forgiving those who hurt us, and living with humility. It may not bring applause from the world, but it brings the smile of heaven.
A true calling is not about what we gain but about what we give. It is about devotion, sacrifice, and love. Christ is not looking for people who want the spotlight. He is looking for people who are ready to be faithful, even if the road is hard.
May we each answer His call with sincere hearts, ready to serve, knowing that even if the world does not notice, our Father in heaven does. And that is reward enough.
