Sunday 29th June
Read Luke 9:61-62
“Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’
62 Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” (NIVUK)
Seventh lesson: Keep looking ahead to Jesus
Michael Wilcock comments that at the end of Luke 9 people are called to ‘follow’ three times, and at the beginning of Luke 10 they are then sent out ahead of Jesus. The implication is clear, a disciple of Christ must follow Jesus closely and then go out as a herald proclaiming His kingdom. We are all followers and heralds.
This insight helps us to understand what at first seems like a harsh, doubt-inducing, comment from Jesus. What happens if we do look back? The agricultural metaphor is not quite as clear to us today, with GPS guided tractors rather than bullocks with handles, but the point is straightforward. If you look over your shoulder the furrow is no longer straight and true. The same things happens if you turn to look over your shoulder when you are driving on the highway…It is a pretty dangerous thing to do.
Jesus’ point is less an observation about losing our salvation if we waver and more a comment that He goes before us. He is the One we follow and He is the One we announce. We serve our family best by fixing our eyes on Jesus – looking ahead to Him.
