“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (v.62)
The basic lesson here is about the cost of discipleship, and the priorities needed to do it, live it, and not look back. Remember Lot’s wife! There can be nothing halfway about it–it’s all or nothing. Following Jesus must be an all consuming priority and passion, or it’s not really following at all. Three brief encounters Jesus had with unnamed individuals here in chapter 9 illustrate this principle.
The first person Jesus came across here in chapter 9 boldly announced his willingness to follow Him, "wherever He went" (v.57). But, when Jesus questioned the depth of his commitment, could he handle being homeless, was he ready for hardship? Evidently the cost was too great, for we never hear of him again.
The second person who was invited to follow, hedged on his commitment. His answer indicated he wanted to wait until after his father died to follow Jesus (v.59), delaying the call of God on His life due to parental obligations. Finally a third person indicated he was willing to follow, but wanted to discuss it with his family first (v.61). To him Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (v.62).
People will always have reasons not to follow through with their commitment to Christ. They feel the tug at their heart, but put it off until “they” are ready. The problem usually then becomes, they are never ready. For something else will inevitably come up causing them to turn their head away from God’s desire to work in there life.
I pray that if you're wrestling with the cost of discipleship, that you find the strength to step out and commit to His call upon your life. You will never regret it. And like Paul, become a man or woman who presses on.
The Truth: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have been apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
The basic lesson here is about the cost of discipleship, and the priorities needed to do it, live it, and not look back. Remember Lot’s wife! There can be nothing halfway about it–it’s all or nothing. Following Jesus must be an all consuming priority and passion, or it’s not really following at all. Three brief encounters Jesus had with unnamed individuals here in chapter 9 illustrate this principle.
The first person Jesus came across here in chapter 9 boldly announced his willingness to follow Him, "wherever He went" (v.57). But, when Jesus questioned the depth of his commitment, could he handle being homeless, was he ready for hardship? Evidently the cost was too great, for we never hear of him again.
The second person who was invited to follow, hedged on his commitment. His answer indicated he wanted to wait until after his father died to follow Jesus (v.59), delaying the call of God on His life due to parental obligations. Finally a third person indicated he was willing to follow, but wanted to discuss it with his family first (v.61). To him Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (v.62).
People will always have reasons not to follow through with their commitment to Christ. They feel the tug at their heart, but put it off until “they” are ready. The problem usually then becomes, they are never ready. For something else will inevitably come up causing them to turn their head away from God’s desire to work in there life.
I pray that if you're wrestling with the cost of discipleship, that you find the strength to step out and commit to His call upon your life. You will never regret it. And like Paul, become a man or woman who presses on.
The Truth: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have been apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
