John Koza

Dear Friends in Christ,

The gospel lesson for today is short, only six verses, so I’m including it here:

As Jesus and the disciples were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62 NRSV)

If we are followers of Jesus we are to follow his commands. “Oh, I’ll do it later.” How often do we say that, or at least think it? “I’m busy!” And that is probably true. We have so many distractions in our modern lives—a million things that keep us busy.

Busy, or distracted? Jesus said, “…go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Maybe I need to be more watchful for opportunities to share about the kingdom of God. Probably not by standing at a busy intersection with a bullhorn, shouting, “The end is near!” But probably in everyday conversations with friends, colleagues, co-workers, just about anybody really. Sharing what the kingdom of God means in my life in very simple, yet very real terms.

In the last line of this gospel verse, Jesus says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Whoa!  I’m not sure if I’m up for that! Am I not fit for the kingdom of God? Could be. Unfortunately, I think I often fall short.

In reflecting on these verses, I am thinking that instead of thinking, “Oh, I’ll do it later,” perhaps I should proceed with “I think I’ll start today.”

Almighty God, I pray that my eyes may be opened enough to see the opportunities to share about your magnificent kingdom. Grant me the courage to welcome those opportunities and act on them. Amen.

Yours in Christ,

—John