Luke 9:61-62 (NKJV)
61 And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."
62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
This man had an experience with Jesus evidently that changed his life. He had a real desire to follow Jesus which was good. But he would not fully commit his life to Jesus. He didn't want to just say good bye to his family, but he put his family before following Jesus which means he was not worthy of God's kingdom. He was more attached to his family than he was Jesus. Jesus said we must be willing to leave all to follow Him.
Matthew 10:37-39 (NKJV)
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Jesus told the man no one who has started out with Him and then looks back or turns from following Him is worthy for the kingdom of God. Quite a statement from Jesus! How many do you know that started out with Jesus and have now turned back from following Him? They have put other things before Him. They have given up the best for something less. How unfortunate! Where do you stand? Have you put other things before Jesus. What occupies most of your time? What or who controls your thoughts? Where does Jesus rate in your life?
Jesus has made a promise to all who follow Him as a priority.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Jesus always knows what is best for us at all times. No one can be all he could be or accomplish great things apart from Jesus in his life. Nothing should ever take priority over the will of the Master. He has purchased us with His precious blood. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV) 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Jesus has the right to tell us what to do because He gave His all for us. Those who do decide to follow Jesus where He leads can never go wrong. He will always lead us in the the right way. It will always be the most productive for our lives. And there are so many rewards for being obedient to the Master. All we have to do is look at those who are totally committed to Jesus and compare their life with those who are not fully committed to Jesus.
Jesus will always take care of His own. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" All this to say you will never regret selling out completely to Jesus and there will be suffering and loss if we fail to put Him first. Jesus is worthy of all of us because no one has ever done for mankind what He has.
I close by telling you that if you don't know this Jesus, He wants to save you from Hell and lead you in the path you should follow here on earth. He wants you to be fully blessed and have the abundant life. He wants to take you to heaven when this life is over. If you would like this in your life, ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and then invite Him into your life to take charge of you. Put Him first in your life and you will be glad you did. Nothing else compares to Jesus Christ. Go to church and be baptized in His name. That is part of what He commands for those who would follow Him. May God bless you as you make the decision to place Jesus above anyone or anything else.
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