Can’t Go Back – Straight Ahead
Straight ahead
Luke 9:57-62
57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”
The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”
62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus was on a mission, sent by God.
He gave himself to preparing 12 apprentices who would be charged to carry on his mission in his absence.
Since the earliest formation of a band of Christ-followers, mission has been the central focus of the church.
Jesus has 3 interactions with individuals who are grappling with their role in his mission
1st – Speculated – “l’ll follow you wherever you go…” (v 57)
There was a willingness to volunteer.
Mission is not fulfilled in lofty claims but in action, consistency, and perseverance .
“…the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. “ (1 Cor 4:20)
2nd – Waited – “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” (v 59b)
There was consent but then a condition.
Our felt need for security must not override God’s passionate desire for others’ lives.
The urgency of the mission is immediate.
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2)
3rd – Vacillated – “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye…” (v. 61)
Indecision fuelled by sentiment can undermine God’s mission that is fuelled by vision.
What we do today impacts what we experience tomorrow.
Plowing is a present activity that has future impact.
– it is proactive (preparatory) not reactive (remedial)
– it is focus on the future, not the past – on what will come not what has happened
– it’s about sowing and reaping, not about storing and keeping
God is the Creator, not a Historian!