Looking Back

Day 92: Luke 9:51-62, 10:1-12

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”' - Luke 9:62

When we first read our passage for today, it is a little startling. Is Jesus really this insensitive when it comes to following Him? The three examples of those interested in following Jesus seem to have legitimate reasons to pause before going all-in.

1) Shelter
2) Burying a parent
3) Saying goodbye to family

I don't think any of us would say these three are anything less than essential for a devout Jesus-follower to desire still.

First, Jesus had a habit of going big with his language to prove a point (hyperbole), which He may have been doing here as well. Second, this goes to show that Jesus is serious about discipleship. If we are claiming to want to be a Christian, our commitment to Jesus rises above every other provision and relationship.

Though this may at first make us out to be irresponsible, it will actually allow us to become less materialistic and to love our families in a way that we never dreamed possible.

Despite seeming like we've lost everything, Jesus gives us the life God had always intended for us to have.

"Jesus points out that the kingdom has no room for those who look back when they are called to go forward."
- Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, p. 199)