Who is not fit for the Kingdom of God?

Luke 9:62 (NLT)

“Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” 

What did Jesus really mean by this odd statement?  It is a concluding statement to the excuses of three men who refused to follow Jesus (Luke 9:57-61).  Oh, they said that they wanted to follow Him, but each of these three men showed the problem that Jesus described simply as “the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”.  Each of these men failed to meet the requirements for following Jesus that He had stated earlier in this chapter (Luke 9:23).  The requirements are admittedly difficult.  Jesus stated that anyone who wishes to follow Him must deny himself (you must put the calling of Jesus and needs of others before yourself) and take up his cross daily (be prepared and willing to do the work that God calls you to do every day for the rest of your life).

To “put a hand to the plow” means to make a commitment.  To “look back” means to fail to meet that commitment.  Jesus was talking to people whose lives depended on food that they planted and harvested on their lands.  These farmers would know that you cannot plow a straight row if you look backward.  If you need to play a straight furrow, you must keep the plow lined up by fixing on some object ahead and aim toward it.  You look backward, you will miss the mark.  If Jesus were giving this parable today he might have used the analogy of putting your hands to the steering wheel, then trying to drive while looking backwards.  You cannot do it.

Like cultivating land to grow a crop, growing spiritually by following Jesus through self-denial and doing God’s work every day is difficult and demanding.  This is why Jesus made those very sobering remarks in Matthew 7 such as verses 13, 14, and 21.  If you make an intentional decision to follow Jesus and to grow spiritually, this cannot be half-hearted.  It is a significant life commitment.  However, you are not alone if and when you make such a commitment.  You not only have other Christians who can help and support you through prayer and encouragement, but you also have the power of God within you.  If you seek first the Kingdom of God then all God’s power is with you (Matthew 6:33).