Word@Work Luke159 - Luke 9:61-62
Published: Mon, 08/02/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
URGENT PRIORITY
Luke 9:61-62 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family." Jesus replied, "No-one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
In this, the last of three practical lessons about discipleship for the trainee apostles, Jesus taught them to understand what lay behind delaying and evading tactics from would-be disciples. Saying farewell to family seems to be only courteous, a way to let them know that an exciting new path of life has opened up. But in Jesus' day and culture, 'goodbye' would take at least three days and possibly a week as relatives gathered. By that time, Jesus would have moved on and the opportunity would have gone.
The apostles were going to encounter many who were attracted by the gospel truth but were not wholehearted. The temptation to look back (like Lot's wife in Genesis 19:24-26) is rooted in our sinful nature. So, Jesus called for a distinct break from the past and condemned the duplicity of trying to look in two directions at the same time: such a person is not fit to be a disciple. And it seems that Jesus is making clear that discipleship is as hard a lifestyle as that of the ploughman. When ploughing a furrow, the only way to ensure that you plough straight and cover the ground properly is to fix your eyes on a point ahead, at the end of the field. For Jesus: that point was the cross.
But for us, our eyes need to be focussed ready to see Jesus returning in glory. His appearing will mark the completion of His saving work in us, as well as the judgement of the world which has rebelled. Those two end-points are completely opposite to each other; so to attempt to live in both directions will produce dangerous personal instability (James 1:8) and must be repented of before it is too late (James 4:8). The workplace may tempt us to look back; friends and colleagues may discourage us from being wholehearted for Jesus; but He has set the example and we must follow ... as it says in Hebrews 12:2-3: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for making Your Word so clear in this passage. I know that You are calling me to be Holy in my living because I am single minded in my faith, looking towards Jesus alone. Please forgive me for the many time when I fail in this, destabilising myself and others as I divert my eyes away from the goal of Your return and the glories of Your presence for ever. Forgive me too, when I fail to respond immediately to Your instructions and promptings. Help me to seize each God-given opportunity. And give me an undivided heart settled on pleasing Jesus, despite the temptations and pressures in my family and workplace to compromise. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
In this, the last of three practical lessons about discipleship for the trainee apostles, Jesus taught them to understand what lay behind delaying and evading tactics from would-be disciples. Saying farewell to family seems to be only courteous, a way to let them know that an exciting new path of life has opened up. But in Jesus' day and culture, 'goodbye' would take at least three days and possibly a week as relatives gathered. By that time, Jesus would have moved on and the opportunity would have gone.
The apostles were going to encounter many who were attracted by the gospel truth but were not wholehearted. The temptation to look back (like Lot's wife in Genesis 19:24-26) is rooted in our sinful nature. So, Jesus called for a distinct break from the past and condemned the duplicity of trying to look in two directions at the same time: such a person is not fit to be a disciple. And it seems that Jesus is making clear that discipleship is as hard a lifestyle as that of the ploughman. When ploughing a furrow, the only way to ensure that you plough straight and cover the ground properly is to fix your eyes on a point ahead, at the end of the field. For Jesus: that point was the cross.
But for us, our eyes need to be focussed ready to see Jesus returning in glory. His appearing will mark the completion of His saving work in us, as well as the judgement of the world which has rebelled. Those two end-points are completely opposite to each other; so to attempt to live in both directions will produce dangerous personal instability (James 1:8) and must be repented of before it is too late (James 4:8). The workplace may tempt us to look back; friends and colleagues may discourage us from being wholehearted for Jesus; but He has set the example and we must follow ... as it says in Hebrews 12:2-3: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for making Your Word so clear in this passage. I know that You are calling me to be Holy in my living because I am single minded in my faith, looking towards Jesus alone. Please forgive me for the many time when I fail in this, destabilising myself and others as I divert my eyes away from the goal of Your return and the glories of Your presence for ever. Forgive me too, when I fail to respond immediately to Your instructions and promptings. Help me to seize each God-given opportunity. And give me an undivided heart settled on pleasing Jesus, despite the temptations and pressures in my family and workplace to compromise. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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