⁵¹ Not long before it was time for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. ⁵² He sent some messengers on ahead to a Samaritan village to get things ready for him. ⁵³ But he was on his way to Jerusalem, so the people there refused to welcome him. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw what was happening, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy these people?"[h]

⁵⁵ But Jesus turned and corrected them for what they had said.[i] ⁵⁶ Then they all went on to another village.

Three People Who Wanted To Be Followers

⁵⁷ Along the way someone said to Jesus, "I'll go anywhere with you!"

⁵⁸ Jesus said, "Foxes have dens, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man doesn't have a place to call his own."

⁵⁹ Jesus told someone else to come with him. But the man said, "Lord, let me wait until I bury my father."[j]

⁶⁰ Jesus answered, "Let the dead take care of the dead, while you go and tell about God's kingdom."

⁶¹ Then someone said to Jesus, "I want to go with you, Lord, but first let me go back and take care of things at home."

⁶² Jesus answered, "Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's kingdom!"