Not Looking Back

In review of Luke 9:62 it says, “Jesus answered, “Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn’t worth a thing to God’s kingdom!”

Bottom Line:

Don’t start, but then continue to look back. It shows your heart isn’t in it and you’re of no use to the Kingdom of God.

What this means to me:

If I start the work, but continue to look back as if my whole heart was not in it, then Jesus says I’m of no use to the Kingdom of God.

Today's verse comes from the last part of Luke 9 where Jesus explains the cost of following Him. In the passage a man came to Jesus while he was walking along and said, I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus told him to come and follow. But the man then said, let me first return home and bury my father. Jesus told him, "let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God." Another one said, Yes I will also follow, but first let me say goodbye to my family. Jesus told him, "anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Jesus reminds us in this passage that true discipleship requires instant action. Waiting is not really a good option. I don’t believe that Jesus teaching people to forsake responsibilities to family, but rather he often gave commands to people in light of their real motives. Perhaps these men wanted to delay following Christ and were using family as an excuse. Following Jesus has a cost, and each of us must be ready to serve, even when it requires sacrifice.

Jesus is looking for my dedication, and not a halfhearted commitment. I can't pick and choose among Jesus' ideas and only follow him selectively. I have to accept the cross along with the crown. I must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given me security, and do so without looking back. With my focus on Jesus, I shouldn’t allow anything to distract me from fully following him.