"But First..."

"As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'

He said to another man, 'Follow me.' But that one replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'"  - Luke 9: 51, 57-62 NIV

But first. Such a quick and easy answer, isn’t it? We utter it without thinking, even, and to so many requests for our time and our attention. Every day is full of “but firsts” and so I begin to consider how much I have missed over the years when I uttered these words: “Sure, but first, l need to finish this article.” “That sounds great! But first, I have to prepare more lessons.” “I would love to! But first, let me finish this.” Even today—in the midst of pandemic—I am all too quick to hear the call and say, “But first, let me read the news and latest safety guidelines…”

In Luke’s Gospel, “but first” will not do anymore. And why? Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. And we all know what Jerusalem means.

This story invites us to consider our “but first” responses. How many times have are we asked to serve and we say, “Sure! But first…” How often do we think about spending time with the poor and needy and we say, “But first…” How often do we feel called to take care of God’s creation and we say, “But first…” How often is someone sick or in need and we promise to respond and say, “But first…” How often does God call us to spend time with him and we say, “But first…”

Our lives are full of “But firsts,” stalling and suspending the urgent issues of what it means to be a Christian. There are way more “but firsts” than we are willing to admit. We rationalize them as strategic, best practices, or following protocol. We justify them as necessary decisions, just balancing life, or keeping sanity.

How often does “but first” come before “of course” or “I’m ready?”

May you be strengthened in faith today. There are many things that cry for your attention, but first, consider the Lord.

Peace,
Intern Pastor Meggie Bjertness