61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61–62 (NAS)
Read Luke 9:57-62
Perhaps the Lord was not against saying goodbye to family, but to being doubleminded, with one eye always on the way things used to be. If a farmer were to look back while plowing, his furrow will not be straight. If I do the same thing while mowing the lawn I won’t have the perfect lines of an Oakland Athletics outfield. John Mark appears to have suffered from this to the point he abandoned his post to return home. Acts 13:13
Elisha asked Elijah to say goodbye when he passed his mantle to him and the firebrand permitted him the time. Elisha showed his resolve and commitment by burning his plow and implements, sacrificing his many oxen—his family was well off—to prove he was all in. 1 Kings 19
Discipleship, while exacting, does not feel that way in reality with the Lord at the helm. All the responsibilities shift to him. Yes, you may sleep under the stars, but it’s comforting to know he put them there.
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