When “But First” Gets in the Way
"To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’" - Luke 9:59-60
There is a difference between saying yes and actually surrendering. There was a point in Luke 9 where Jesus was calling people to follow Him, and one man replied with a sentence that sounded respectful on the surface. He called Jesus “Lord,” but his heart added a condition. He said, “But first,” which meant that Jesus was not actually first at all.
It is easy to fall into the same trap. We might not be rejecting Jesus, but instead, we are just trying to fit Him around everything else. What comes after “but first” always reveals what you value most. It might be family, plans, comfort, ambition, or even something good and noble. But if it comes before Him, it is still out of order.
Jesus was not being harsh when He responded. He was being honest. The kingdom of God is not something you squeeze in once everything else settles down. It is the calling that reorders your priorities. The mission of God cannot be a side task. It is the reason you exist.
Ask yourself what your “but first” sounds like right now. Is there anything standing in the way of full obedience? Following Jesus does not mean you abandon your responsibilities, but it does mean nothing gets to outrank Him. The call is clear and the time is now. Not when life slows down. Not when you feel more ready. Now.
If He is Lord, then He must be first. Lay down your excuses and follow where He leads. There is no better time than today to let go of “but first” and walk fully in the mission He has for you.
There is a difference between saying yes and actually surrendering. There was a point in Luke 9 where Jesus was calling people to follow Him, and one man replied with a sentence that sounded respectful on the surface. He called Jesus “Lord,” but his heart added a condition. He said, “But first,” which meant that Jesus was not actually first at all.
It is easy to fall into the same trap. We might not be rejecting Jesus, but instead, we are just trying to fit Him around everything else. What comes after “but first” always reveals what you value most. It might be family, plans, comfort, ambition, or even something good and noble. But if it comes before Him, it is still out of order.
Jesus was not being harsh when He responded. He was being honest. The kingdom of God is not something you squeeze in once everything else settles down. It is the calling that reorders your priorities. The mission of God cannot be a side task. It is the reason you exist.
Ask yourself what your “but first” sounds like right now. Is there anything standing in the way of full obedience? Following Jesus does not mean you abandon your responsibilities, but it does mean nothing gets to outrank Him. The call is clear and the time is now. Not when life slows down. Not when you feel more ready. Now.
If He is Lord, then He must be first. Lay down your excuses and follow where He leads. There is no better time than today to let go of “but first” and walk fully in the mission He has for you.
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