No Turning Back

Scripture: Yet another said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go bid farewell to those at my house.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back at things is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61-62

Observation: Jesus is very clear - if one is to follow him, they are not to look back at other things in their life.

While this specific example - saying goodbye to family - seems like an extreme example, it may not be based on the language used. The man who wishes to follow Jesus after saying goodbye is NOT saying "let me say farewell to my wife and kids." Rather, he wishes to bid farewell to "those at my house." This specific phrase could mean to go give directions to servants, or to look fondly one more time on his possessions before departing, or it might even mean to say farewell to idols. This certainly seems to be the manner in which Jesus responds.

In this context, the message of Jesus is clear and more complete. If someone is in fact a follower of Jesus, then those parts of their life that are in conflict with that faith - idol worship, honor to riches, and continued planning for the ongoing or future return to that life - must be all discarded. Following Jesus does, in fact, mean setting aside the old life, and never looking back at it.

Application: For all intents and purposes, I'm a total failure at this. I continually think of my past with some fondness. I seem too willing in my mind to think of old activities as fun, while forgetting the disastrous effect such things had on my life. Recently, I have realized more and more this is Satan attacking me directly. These are whispers intended to take me further from Jesus. I must, therefore, pray my way through them, direct my thoughts to things above, and focus on Jesus in my daily walk.

I must not look back on people I knew, or my old home, or the actions of my youth. I must put my hand to the plow and go straight forward. With Jesus' strength, I will.

Prayer: Lord, you are aware of my struggles. Please keep your spirit with me. I am in need of your strength. We know the attack that is being made on many in our church right now, and the enemy knows I am a weak link. Please make me strong for your sake and for your glory. Amen.