What does "first let me bid farewell" reveal about divided loyalties? Setting the Scene “Still another said, ‘I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” The Request in Focus • “But first…” signals a condition placed on obedience. • “Bid farewell” sounds harmless, yet Jesus hears hesitancy—an attachment strong enough to delay His call. • The man is not rejecting Jesus, just postponing Him, revealing a heart split between home ties and kingdom allegiance. Divided Loyalties Exposed • Loyalty is tested when two legitimate loves collide—family affection vs. Christ’s summons (cf. Matthew 10:37). • Looking back pauses forward movement; plowing in ancient fields demanded steady focus straight ahead. • A backward glance suggests regret, second-guessing, or unfinished business—each one fractures single-minded devotion. Old Testament Echo • 1 Kings 19:19-21: Elisha also asks to “kiss my father and mother goodbye,” yet burns his plow and oxen—decisive, irreversible commitment. Jesus calls for at least that level of abandonment, if not more. Jesus’ Standard for Discipleship • Priority: Christ must outrank the dearest earthly connections (Luke 14:26). • Permanence: No looking back; discipleship is lifelong and forward-driven (Philippians 3:13-14). • Purity: A divided heart distances us from God (James 4:8); single allegiance draws us near. Practical Takeaways • Examine any “but first” clauses in your walk—career goals, family expectations, comfort zones. • Replace delay with immediate obedience; postponed surrender often fades into forgotten surrender. • Anchor affection in Christ first; loving family best happens when He holds the throne of the heart. |
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