Hand to the Plow

As Jesus worked his way towards his ultimate goal in Jerusalem, those around him were caught up in the drama unprepared. Their enthusiasm exposed false motives, distractions, qualifications. They were not entirely aligned with Jesus' purpose; they were not heading in the same direction. Jesus was headed one way; they, another. Jesus says "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Jesus disrupted and disoriented the perceptions of even his closest followers at times. It is important for us to sit with this for a moment, to let ourselves acknowledge the tension that plays out between our wills and his, between our expectations and his, between our desires and his.

As we’ll see, the exchange that Jesus offers us isn't between what we want and what he wants; it's between an old life and a new life. Putting our hand to the plow without looking back is about what we see ahead of us, and that makes all the difference.

These are hard, good words from Jesus, and I look forward to hearing them together with you on Sunday.

Steve Engstrom+