Following Christ: No Looking Back

Following Jesus is neither comfortable nor easy. He regularly challenges believers to redefine what it means to live a redeemed life, often by stretching our comfort zones and shedding light on misplaced priorities.

The Gospel of Luke illustrates this through three distinct encounters on the road:

As they were walking along the road, a disciple told Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man 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 9:57-62)

When Jesus says, “follow me,” a gospel-inspired response springs from gratitude for what Christ has already done for us. A redeemed life responds joyfully and eagerly respond to Jesus’ call to follow him no matter where that might lead them or how unfamiliar the task may be.

This requires a constant recalibration of our priorities. We ask ourselves, “Is God truly first in my life? How is that reality being reflected in my words and actions?”

In this passage, Jesus provides a vital key to following him: Don’t look back!

Following Christ means moving forward. A farmer knows it is impossible to plow a straight furrow while looking backward; the eyes must remain fixed on the horizon. Slight corrections can be made to keep a straight line so that more seeds can be sown.

When Jesus spoke these words, his own eyes were fixed on his “finish line”—Jerusalem. He knew exactly what awaited him there, yet he looked forward with singular purpose to fulfill the will of his Father.

As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to maintain that same “Kingdom view,” keeping our eyes fixed on the cross. An eternal focus keeps our lines straight and prevents us from being distracted by a world that often pulls us away from our roots in Christ. By looking forward, we are empowered to store up treasures in heaven and make ourselves available for the greatest work of all: bringing as many people as possible into the Kingdom of God.