A man said that he would follow Jesus anywhere and then asks to go back and take care of family matters.
Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Folks have troubles with the things that Jesus says in this portion of Scriptures, Harold Buls has written a study that I find fascinating and here is a portion,
“Jesus’ answer is an axiom, a statement understandable to all cultures. Jesus must be speaking about a man who has no experience as a plowman. The plow here is similar to the walking plow used in former generations in our country. One cannot plow without placing both hands firmly on the plow handle and looking forward.
“Keeps looking back” is the translation in NEB and AAT. This kind of plowing is ridiculous and impossible. Bengel mentions here that such a man is “delirious.” The etymology of this word is “de” and “lira” in Latin, meaning “out of the furrow.” A delirious man is like a plow out of the furrow.
Jesus is criticizing the man’s attitude. Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26 are parallel thoughts. The Children of Israel longed for the flesh-pots of Egypt. See Exodus 16:3. Remember Lot’s wife. Luke 17:32; Genesis 19:26. Read Philippians 3:2-14, especially verse 13.
To have the righteousness of God by faith in Christ is the best antidote against being impeded by human relationships. That alone makes one fit for the Kingdom of God. Look at Matthew 6:33.
