What Jesus Did! 'No Turning Back' — Luke 9:61-62

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family."

But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

— Luke 9:61-62 NLT

Key Thought

Again, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of Kingdom commitment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can stand in the way of the all-surpassing call to follow Jesus. We press on, full speed ahead. When we get diverted, when we lose our way, when we stumble and fall, we must again point our hearts in the direction of Christ and the Kingdom of God and continue on. Ours is a heavenly calling, a forward calling, an upward calling - it is not a call to return to the old ways, the old values, and the old answers. No turning back! Full steam ahead! Sin, death, and defeat are in our rearview mirror, and Jesus with his Kingdom calling lies ahead. No turning back, because our commitment to and service in the Kingdom mean that we are bound for glory.

Today's Prayer

Keep me focused, dear Lord, my Father and God of all faithfulness, on the Kingdom call of Christ Jesus. I don't want to live detached from the needs around me because my focus is only heaven above. I do want to live with the focus of your Kingdom and its righteousness filling my heart, providing my dreams, and calling me to share in your glory. Help me notice the needs of others and bless them with your grace as I press on to fulfill the upward call you have given me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Seize Today
Article by Paul Faulkner
Why are you putting so much stuff off? Procrastination nearly always makes things worse, so why do we put off so much stuff; and let's stop procrastinating and seize today!
One Singular Purpose
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Following Me is hard. I want your heart. I want your focus. I want your future. I want to be your consuming passion. Yes, I know..."
Leaving the Past, Living the Kingdom
Article by Paul Faulkner
How can I escape my past? Paul Faulkner reminds us that we need to live for the present to help others and keep our focus on the matters of the Kingdom rather than let our lives get filled with regret for the past.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:61-62 NLT — "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family." —— "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, June 25, 2023

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Never Grows Weak or Weary' (Is. 40:28-29)
"Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ Living in Me' (Ro. 8:9-15)
"Dear Father, who indwells me, Show me that I do not really live in the flesh, since your Spirit really dwells in me, else I would not belong to you....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Wait for the Promise' (Lk. 24:48-49)
"[Jesus said,] "You're the first to hear and see [the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Messiah]. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important:...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 4:25-26
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!