“Fit for the Kingdom of God”

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

Lets take the young man’s request first, “let me first say farewell to those at my home.”  He wanted to possibly just say goodbye to his family. That sounds reasonable right? So, when he gets home, what will his family say? Perhaps that is a crazy idea or you have an obligation to your family.

Or maybe if he was the oldest he loses his rights of the family inheritance, or his family needs his income. Maybe he had a wife and possibly a child. Should Jesus hold that against him? Look at the implications of this passage; the man said, “I will follow you,” (under one condition).

We all should know what it takes to follow God, He requires 100% commitment. Now Jesus response is being “fit” for service means to cease the backwards gaze. In Jesus’s analogy He says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

When we try to move forward but all we can do is think of the past, we will never be productive or fully committed. It’s kind of like driving a car by only looking through the rear view mirror.

Nothing was said that this man could not ever go home again, but Jesus sees every heart, I believe he could hear the man’s words but He could also read his heart.

One more thing, Jesus is addressing a lot of excuses in Luke 9, this is just one example of the excuses we make. Jesus knows human nature. If we allow divided hearts in regard to His Lordship, we will fall. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other… (Matt 6:24).

Prayer:
Lord, my desire is to follow you without any hesitation or regrets. Help me Lord, you know my heart, let my spirit guide my heart.