Don’t Look Back

Luke 9:62 - And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

It seems this passage is different from Matthew 8:18-22, but the lessons are the same.

Hebrews 12:1,2 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

1.       Example 1 – My daddy showing me how to use a push plough and make a row to plant in by looking at a point at the end of the row and heading toward that point.

2.       Example 2 – Disking after Leon in Willow Hill and straightening his rows because he did not look at a point at the end of the row, instead looked right next to him and tried to make corrections according to what was happening right up next to him. 

When Christ says those that look back are not fit for the kingdom of God, does that mean if we make a mistake, or if we do not understand, or if we don’t serve God perfectly, that we will not go into the kingdom of God?  NO!

1.       Matthew 16:23 – Jesus called Peter Satan and told him to get behind him.  Jesus had just discussed with the disciples his soon coming suffering and death at Jerusalem when Peter told him this would not happen.

2.       Matthew 26:34 – Jesus told Peter he would deny him three times before the cock crows.  Peter was greatly used of God after this, preaching on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 were saved, plus Peter wrote the books of I and II Peter.

3.       John 14:1-9 – Thomas told the Lord they did not know the way.

4.       John 14:8 – Philip did not understand that Jesus was the Father – Philip did not understand the trinity.

5.       All the disciples slept while Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

6.       Thomas did not believe the resurrection until he had personally seen Jesus Christ in his resurrection body.

There are those that determine they will follow Jesus and they go so far as to say that.  That is not a bad thing, but those that God calls will follow him.  There is a difference between conveniently following Christ and being compelled to follow him. There is a difference in thinking it is nice to follow Christ, and not being able to do anything but follow him. 

There is a difference in determining in yourself that you are going to follow Jesus and Jesus calling you to follow him.

1.       Luke 10:1-1 – Jesus appointed other seventy to go into every city whither he himself would enter.  It is good when Jesus appoints us to do something – even if we do not think we can do it, or if it is different from what we thought we should do, or if others think we are being too “religious” when we do it. 

2.       In Luke 9:51-57 – Sometimes the disciples of Christ would do things that would destroy the very people Christ came to save.  We must be very careful we do not do that, but that we are a help to people along their lives way.

3.       In Matthew 8:16-19 – many bring their sick ones to Christ so he can heal them.  That is not bad, but good.  Then some tell Christ they are going to follow him wherever he goes.  Christ does not discourage them, but tells them all the truth, about what it means to follow him, quite unlike most of the religious preachers today. Notice in Matthew 8:23 – the disciples do follow Christ.  There is no mention of what the others do.  Also notice that when the disciples follow Christ, they immediately get into trouble.  Following Christ does not mean you will not have any trouble, but following Christ may lead you into trouble in this world, but eternal blessing for evermore.  The disciples are led into a closer fellowship and walk with Christ – what happens to the others is not said. 

Luke 9:23-26 states, And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.  Christ wants us to count the cost before we determine we will follow him.  There are many blessings in serving God, but all these blessings come at a high cost as far as this world is concerned. 

1.       Many religions do nothing but try to correct social evils, while God wants us to preach the everlasting gospel so he can correct spiritual evils. 

2.       The way “up” is down, while the way “down” is up.

Matthew 16:24 states, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  Would we be right if we said those that do not deny themselves, nor take up their cross cannot be his disciple?