Legitimate Excuses?
Scott K. Miller, Associate Pastor
Victory Baptist Temple, Piedmont, MO
March 13, 2025
Lu 9:59 And he [Jesus] said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Lu 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Perhaps you’ve heard a Christian casually admit, “The Lord has been dealing with me for the last two months about _____.” He may even smile and nonchalantly laugh it off—not realizing that his “let me first” excuse to not follow the Lord’s direction may have resulted in a missed greater opportunity for service.
The men in this account were invited to follow Jesus. No doubt they sincerely wanted to follow, but they each had something of more importance to do first—burying a father, or saying good-bye to relatives.
Legitimate excuses? Yes. But their excuses took priority over the Lord’s directive: Follow Me. The “let me first” mentality often detours many believers from God’s will and greater blessings.
Now, I’m sure these fellas were good men; however, the immediate need in their minds led to a loss of greater opportunity.
Here’s what I mean. In chapter 10 we find Jesus, “… appointed other seventy also, and sent them two by two.” Is it possible that these two missed a greater opportunity by prioritizing legitimate duties over the Lord’s command?
A few verses later we read of the seventy returning to the Lord with joy for the ability God had given them—even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name! Wow! However, Jesus explains to them that the greater thing to rejoice in is the fact that their names are written in Heaven (10:20).
What greater opportunities have you missed for your “legitimate” excuse for not following the Word of God fully? It’s time to confess that sin and prioritize following God’s directive to you today.
Consider – When what is not sin takes priority over the Word of God, it becomes sin no matter how legitimate our excuses may be.
Thought – It is better to tremble at the Word of the Lord... than to shout oneself hoarse. C.H. Spurgeon
