Luke 9 - 9.9.25
SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:62
“Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
OBSERVATION
The last verse of this chapter stood out to me not only because of the meat to what Jesus said, but it seemed to encapsulate a lot of what was spoken in the prior verses. There were many examples of what moving forward in a life with Jesus looks like:
· Jesus sends out the Disciples on a missions trip to do many things by the power of God
· Jesus shows the Disciples and others about stepping out in faith with the miracle of feeding the five thousand
· Jesus reveals his Heavenly position during the Transfiguration
· Jesus heals the demon-possessed boy when the Disciples couldn’t
· Jesus shows the disciples who will be greatest and the least based on their love and humility
All of these things lead up to the end verse: you can’t move forward in a life with Jesus or be an effective servant if your heart isn’t in line with serving God, you’re distracted or pulled away from your God given purpose.
The example Jesus gave of the plow is well known to many in His time; however, some today might not know what it does or how it works. To a farmer, a plow is one of the most important tools for when you start to prepare the soil to plant seeds: The plow digs down deep in the soil to carve out an area where to plant seeds so you’ll have a successful harvest. The plow works up the soil, helps break up any hardened areas, and makes the soil just right for planting seeds. Jesus is saying you can’t put your hand to the plow – to do God’s work in the soil of life – and be looking backwards, distracted, or not focused to work the plow. It would be impossible to properly work the plow if your head is turned backwards.
APPLICATION
If you want to do God’s work, and you’re ready to do the work, your head and heart need to be in the right place. Are you really committed to God? Is your hand on the plow with a firm view, looking forward and ready for all God has planned? Looking backwards takes your eyes off what’s before you and distracts you from what is needed. There is a mighty harvest of planting the seeds of faith by sharing the Gospel, living your life as an offering to God, and being ready for His service. Listening and following the lead of the Holy Spirit is also an important part (and something that I’m working on). God’s work requires no distractions that would take your eyes off of Jesus. These distractions can be idols in your life, your focus on family, friends, work, possessions or anything in this life. Ultimately God needs to be #1 in your life. Everything else is secondary.
Right now we’re in the midst of the 21 day Challenge to read the Word, journal, and grow closer in our relationship with God. The Challenge is a great place to start. God will speak to you. Take the step and begin in ernest with your hand firmly on the plow looking forward to serving the Lord. If you’ve not started yet on the Challenge, there’s never a better time than the present. If you’re struggling knowing where to start, what to do in your relationship with Christ, or if you’ve never made that commitment to Christ, please be sure to reach out to our prayer team for help: https://desertstreams.churchcenter.com/people/forms/3457?open-in-church-center-modal=true
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the many examples of living for you in this chapter, what that means, and how to achieve it by keeping my focus on following you only. My focus should only be on having Jesus as a top priority in everything in this life. Help me to always have you in focus, not to look for anything else or make anything else a priority in this life except you and service for you. Keep me away from any distractions! If anything becomes a distraction, Holy Spirit, please move me back to the plow and in the direction of Jesus, to do His work on this earth. Find me fit for service for you! In Jesus mighty name! Amen and Amen.
- Mary Oberg
ps: I wasn’t able to attend church this last Sunday but I just listened to the recorded service entitled “I am the Lord’s servant.” God is so good with his direction in highlighting this scripture and bringing the focus of serving the Lord in our life. God is on the move!! Here’s where you can see and listen to the services: https://www.desertstreams.com/sermons
