JESUS SPEAKING
Then He said to another, “Follow me.” But the man said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 59-62)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
The calling of God demands immediate and unwavering obedience. In this scripture, the first man wanted to attend his father’s funeral before following Christ; the Lord beckoned him to focus on the living rather than the dead (his father was likely an unbeliever.) In a similar fashion, the second man also produced an excuse; professing his desire to return home and bid farewell to his family first; an aspiration for which he was rebuked. To further emphasize His point, Jesus employs an agricultural illustration. When working a farm with an ox and plow, a farmer’s eyes must remain focused on the field ahead. Looking back can only distract the driver from his necessary task. Distractions are quite dangerous, because they can prevent us from accomplishing God’s will.
According to the national highway safety commission, 80% of all car crashes involve driver distraction. These statistics proved true for a man named Stephen in 1983. One sunny morning he hopped into his new Mercedes Benz; with the top down and the breeze in his face, he was headed to an important appointment. As he drove up the coast of Southern California, he passed by a certain beach. His attention unexpectedly turned toward a young woman who was wearing seductive attire. As she passed his vehicle, his mind, heart, and eyes followed along with her. He suddenly smashed into the back end of a Chevelle that had come to a complete stop in his lane. Although he remained uninjured, his pride and his car weren’t so lucky. When driving, the road ahead must take precedent over everything else. To reach our destination, we must abandon trivial distractions.
Although Jesus Christ has called many, the vast majority haven’t responded in the immediate and wholehearted fashion required for discipleship. If you have felt called by the Lord, relinquish your grip on the things which are fading away and take hold of the plow. Preach the gospel and accomplish the Lord’s work. If we avoid distractions and keep our eyes, minds, and hearts focused on God, we will reach our eternal destination.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You would transform our hearts; that You would be our number one priority. May our eyes be ever focused upon You. Take possession of our lives and be our Master, that we may avoid temptations and distractions. Give us the wisdom and strength to finish what You have started, as we journey toward Your eternal kingdom. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name; Amen.” God bless all of you!
Jesus Speaks 