Go and Proclaim the Kingdom of God

Jesus told His followers, “‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God,’” (NASB, Luke 9:62). This statement comes at the conclusion of one of Jesus’ boldest directives about discipleship. Luke records for us an account of three men whom Jesus met as He traveled along with His disciples. Before they ever put their hand to the plow, He wants them to know that there is no turning back. Jesus tells these three men what the cost of following Him really was, and there is no evidence that leads us to believe that any of them followed. The cost was simply too much for them.

Following Jesus may cost us immense discomfort. But more, Jesus was saying that if we want to walk with Him, we will sense that this world is not truly our home. And that is the point!

We cannot plow a straight line and constantly be looking backwards. Neither can we serve God and constantly be looking at the past and long for our old life. To proclaim the kingdom of God requires that we look forward to our true home.