A sermon delivered by the Rev. Dr. Patrick H. Wrisley on June 29, 2025.

Thus far in Luke’s gospel, he has focused his Story on Jesus’ teaching, preaching, healing people. Jesus has demonstrated deeds of wonder among the general populace in the various small towns north of Jerusalem around the Galilee. But today, there is a shift in the narrative Luke 9:51 is the fulcrum, the hinge point of Luke’s gospel. Luke subtly adjusts Jesus’ focus from the general population and now has Jesus spending the next part of the Story making sure his disciples are fully comprehending what is going on and what is about to take place. Listen to the Word of the Lord from Luke 9:51-62.  

Luke 9:51-62

⁵¹When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. ⁵²And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; ⁵³but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. ⁵⁴When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” ⁵⁵But he turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶Then they went on to another village.

⁵⁷As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸And 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.” ⁵⁹To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”⁶¹Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”  ⁶²Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”^[1]

Did you hear the shift in the story? It’s as though Luke has turned an hourglass over, and the sands are now funneled into a more narrow and constricting space. Jesus’ journey is funneling downward to Jerusalem and the cross. From this point on, Jesus resolutely sets his face toward that which he came to do: to confront the political, religious, and economic powers of the day, to suffer, and to reconcile all creation back to God — fully reestablishing God’s kingdom here on earth.

Luke tells us twice in three verses that Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Jesus is determined. Jesus is focused. Jesus has set his strategic priorities. And now he teaches his disciples what it will mean for them to follow him on this path. He invites them — and us — to do what he himself has done. And what exactly is that?

Count the cost.

Set our priorities.

And once we step out in faith, don’t look back.

Beloved, can you see yourself in any of the would-be followers in today’s passage?

The first would-be follower says, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus responds, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”  In other words: Have you counted the cost? Are you ready to give up the comforts you know and trust that God will provide?

The second says, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” And Jesus replies, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” In other words: What is your top priority? God’s call can’t always wait.

The third says, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” And Jesus replies, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” In other words: If you keep looking back nostalgically, you won’t be able to move forward in the work God has waiting which only you can accomplish.

If we pause to think about it, when people resort to using “yes, buts…” it is really just a polite way of saying, “no.” 

They say ‘no’ because the ask is too inconvenient.

They say ‘no’ because they really have not bought into what you are saying.

They say ‘no’ because it is simply not a value they embrace.

I wonder, friends — what are the “yes, buts…” in our own lives?

Yes, Lord, I’ll follow you but let me get through this busy season first.

Yes, Lord, but let me get my finances in order.

Yes, Lord, but not until the kids are grown.

Yes, Lord, but first let me retire and then I will have the time.

Yes, Lord but… 

We all have them, don’t we?

I remember a season in my own life when I felt God nudging me toward something new — something that would stretch me. “Patrick, I am calling you to build a church in Disney World.” Say what? Guess what – I found myself full of “yes, buts…”

Yes, Lord — but not now. The girls are all established in school and our family lives nearby.

Yes, Lord — but what if I fail? What if there is competition from other churches trying to do the same thing?

Yes, Lord — but what if it costs more than I can physically, emotionally, or spiritually give?

And friends, every “yes, but…” held me back from what God wanted to do. It was only when I said a simple “yes” — no conditions, no hesitation — that I discovered God’s provision was already there, waiting. I discovered I was the one who had to get out of God’s way and let the Spirit do what it does best and that is create!

Commentator Richard Schaffer writes, 

Faith can be expressed and experienced in a variety of ways, but there comes a time in each one’s journey when it is necessary clearly and unequivocally declare the depth of that commitment. Adopting a life of discipleship cannot be a part-time or momentary commitment. It is a life-changing shift in direction and priorities.”^[2] 

In other words, it’s like to old saying, “You’re either pregnant or you’re not.” 

Today, Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and is asking us to follow, to do something for the kingdom. Only you know where he is asking you to go or what he is calling you to do – whatever it is, it is uniquely designed and fit for you to accomplish. God will not call us to go or do something knowing we will fail because it is a call from God and that means God is in the midst of it with you and me. This is the invitation Jesus places before us today:

To come.

To count the cost.

To set our priorities.

To walk forward — without looking back.

And here’s the good news: Jesus does not ask anything of us that he hasn’t already done. He set his face to Jerusalem for you. For me. For the world. And he walks with us as we take our risky first step.

So today, may we have the courage to say yes — no buts, no maybes — just yes. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

© 2025 Patrick H. Wrisley, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, 8 West Notre Dame Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.  Sermon manuscripts are available for the edification of members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, NY and shall not be altered, re-purposed, published or preached without permission. All rights reserved.

^[1] New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

^[2] Feasting on the Word: Year C, Volume 3: Pentecost and Season after Pentecost 1 (Propers 3-16) by David L. Bartlett,  Barbara Brown Taylor. See https://a.co/gX7Wn0n