Transforming Encounters: The 40-Day Challenge (Luke)Sample

I imagine Jesus surrounded by people, including his disciples, walking along dusty roads through villages in the direction of Jerusalem. Fieldwork, we would say today - all sorts of events that serve as a lesson. Delighted by the teachings, exorcisms, healings, and attracted by miracles, the desire to follow the Master is awakened in people. To the first one who offers himself, Christ explains that he will have to give up comfort if he wants to serve. Jesus extends an invitation to someone else, but the man wants to first sort out some family obligations. A third also offers himself, yet has something he would like to do beforehand…

After this comes the text in chapter 10, “After this the Lord appointed seventy two…” So he chose others whom he sends out into the “harvest”.

Do we also place conditions on Jesus' direct command: “Go and make disciples of all nations”? How many excuses do we have for avoiding daily devotion? Do we understand God’s sorrow due to our ignoring his call, his command?

If we want to follow someone, we must also look at him. The feet go where the eyes are directed. Let us focus on Jesus, put him in the center, so that everything else will fall into its rightful place.

In verse 62 we read, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

And so, don’t look back, son/daughter!

Examine yourself today to see whether your eyes are fixed on Jesus, whom you are courageously following, - or perhaps are you looking back with convenient excuses?