Luke 9:61 61But another also said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
A third person came to Jesus seeking to follow after him. This person, like the first, used the future tense of follow (akolouthēsō), the keyword for discipleship. The difference with this person was the condition he attached to his following. The shocking words of his response are but first. He wanted to say goodbye to his family first. He wanted to take his time, make sure everything was in order, and when he was ready, then he would follow Jesus. This scenario is similar to what happened to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:19-21.
Jesus responded to the person with a short illustration that emphasized the need to look forward to him. When farmers plow their fields, they cannot look back from where they came; otherwise, their plow will go off course. A farmer’s pride is in having straight rows. When people make a decision to follow Jesus, they cannot look back; otherwise, they will never reach their goal. Jesus’ response is like the other two would-be disciples: we must be willing to leave all and follow him. The cross that we are to take up daily is the cross upon which we have crucified ourselves. It is not the cross of suffering for suffering’s sake. There is a danger in seeing no difference between ordinary life and a life committed to Jesus Christ.
Every person will have a cross to bear and hang on. For this man, it was his family and home. Family is important, but family cannot take precedence over following Jesus. To follow Jesus means changing direction and priorities, abandoning the world–even the good things of the world–and following after Jesus in obedient faith. Even good things and good people can distract us from what is most important. Once Jesus is first, everything else will fall into place.
The position of these three situations in the context of Luke’s Gospel is significant. Jesus was heading to his own cross. Those following him or interested in him did not know the price he would pay for their salvation. They were learning what discipleship meant. Not everyone will have to pay the cost of their lives to follow Jesus. We hope none of us do. But we must pay the price of worship and commitment. The way of discipleship opens the gates to God’s kingdom. This kingdom is one of love, joy, and peace, but these come only as one follows in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace.
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