
In Luke 9:57-62 three individuals come up to Jesus eager to follow him, but each reveals that on the inside there is some hesitation: comfort, family obligations, and lingering attachments. Jesus doesn’t necessarily scold them for what they want to do—but he does show them the cost of truly following him.
We all have to make choices daily. We can’t do everything, and have to decide what is worth sacrificing for.
The first man offers to follow Jesus anywhere. But Jesus responds with a reminder: “The Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Following Jesus means being ok with a less than comfortable life.
The second asks to bury his father. That seems like a reasonable request. But Jesus says, “Let the dead bury their own dead.” That’s no “anti-family” message. It just means that God’s . . . . kingdom is above even the most sacred of our family commitments.
The third wants to say goodbye to family. Jesus replies with an image of plowing a field. Looking back while plowing ruins the straight path. Looking back spiritually—longing for the old life—endangers faithfulness.
God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ is free and full. We don’t need to earn God’s favor and forgiveness by our level of discipleship. But discipleship itself for a saved Christian has a high cost. Jesus doesn’t lower the bar. He raises our eyes to see the seriousness and beauty of life in his kingdom.
Where might be your hesitation in following Jesus? What pulls your gaze backwards?
Jesus has gifted you the glories of eternity! Don’t look back. Fulfill your many callings with joy.
"No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).