Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 23, 2016
By Tripp Prince
Jesus said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-62
What is the most fundamental lesson you have to learn when you first learn to drive a car? I can still hear my dad telling me countless times, “Keep your eyes on the road!” As simple as it may sound, this can be a hard lesson to learn! As a young driver, I had to learn that my primary job wasn’t to talk to friends or pick out music on the radio; it was to focus on navigating the road so that I arrived safely at my destination. Now as a father of three, the distractions are different, yet present nonetheless. My job is to focus fully on the road ahead, not to look back to break up arguments or clean up spilled drinks!
Have you ever tried to drive a car while looking backwards? It’s a sure recipe for disaster. Though they didn’t have cars in Jesus’ day, they did have a multitude of plows, and Jesus is using this easily understood imagery to make the same point. You can’t operate a plow while looking backwards, and more importantly, you can’t follow him and still have your heart and mind focused on other things.
Is Jesus saying that it’s wrong to grieve a lost loved one or to passionately love your family? Of course not. Such a blanket statement misses the point that Jesus is trying to make. Following Jesus requires that we give ourselves fully and completely to him and his coming kingdom.
In our society today it’s easy to view our Christian faith as a part of a well-balanced life. In addition to family, work, sports, art, or politics, one can also include a bit of “religion” to round this picture out. This is culturally accepted, widely practiced, and spiritually devastating. Can you relate to this way of life?
Jesus deeply desires that you might have life to its fullest (Jn. 10:10). It’s important to remember this when we read passages like Luke 9. Jesus isn’t trying to steal us away from joy or life, he’s trying to help us see that following him is the only true source of life and happiness. We must prioritize our commitment and devotion to him above all else. Avoid the distractions that lie behind you and focus fully on your faithful service within the kingdom of God!
Prayer
Father, help me to turn away from the things that keep me from your love and instead set my eyes completely upon Christ.Application
How have you had a “rear-view mirror” approach to faith and discipleship?Related Reading
Deuteronomy 6:5; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 12:1Post/Tweet today
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