Jesus has an interaction with some men and tells them to “Follow Me”. It’s a common occurrence with Jesus. In this case in Luke 9, the men all say, “Let me just take care of this thing.” and Jesus has a challenging response to them…..
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62
As this came to me this morning, it challenged me because how often as we all walk with Jesus in this world do we look back? For some it’s looking at the partying, drinking, etc. that we use to do. What seemed even in the midst of destruction to be fun and enjoyable. We remember the times when we would laugh and connect with others durning those times while at the same time gloss over or subconsciously omit the pain or poor decisions we made during those times. For others, it may be remembering the times when we “had control” and didn’t have to give that control to God, His Word, and the accountable authority of those more mature in the faith who may speak opposite of our desires, will, or opinions.
The toughest part of that scripture seemed to be the word “fit”. So if I look back, I am unworthy of the Kingdom? Is it so simple, easy, or cut and dry for our Father in Heaven after justifying us through Jesus apart from our own rightness to throw us aside? Often our theology (view of God) lends to these kind of thoughts and then in turn leads us down seemly hopeless paths of guilt and condemnation.
The definition of this word lends hope where many of us have failed often while battling the flesh’s desire to return to the mire and muck of our past.
Fit: Well Placed
Jesus isn’t speaking a condemnation for looking back. He is tell these men and us that when we look back, we aren’t positioned to look forward. The Kingdom is Glory to Glory and Faith to Faith. Following Jesus is a forward looking process! When we are positioned into the Kingdom, we are called forward with Him into greater places. Places of overcoming and prosperity. When we look back in the spiritual, just like in the physical, we become more likely to trip. That is why scripture gives us commands like,
“Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, and throwing off everything that hinders us and especially the sin that so easily entangles us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us, fixing our attention on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of the joy set before him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
Jesus even gives us this promise,
“Place my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls…..”
Matthew 11:29
Being “fit” or “well placed” is being well positioned and yoked with Jesus. It means looking forward to the things the Lord has for us and letting go like Paul of those things of the past knowing that compared to what the Lord has for us…….the past is manure or dung.
I encourage you today, in those moments when the flesh turns your eyes to what was, to well place yourself focusing on the future and the promises that await you as you walk with Jesus and answer that daily call to “Follow me!”.
He has good things for you. Better than the past could offer and life giving things where the enemy created destruction. Look forward and don’t be tripped up and remember…….
“for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again……”
Proverbs 24:16
YOU ARE THAT RIGHTEOUS MAN/WOMAN IN JESUS THROUGH HIS GIFT AND YOU WILL RISE AGAIN AS YOU FOCUS ON HIM!
Driving With God 