Luke 9:57–62 (NKJV) — “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, ‘Lord, 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.’ Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.’ And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”

We must go the distance. Pastor reminded us last week that the Christian life is a race. Going the distance is important. We must not throw in the towel. There will be difficulties. There will be challenges. Many have started well but for one reason or another have dropped out. But God is able to see us through. Christ has reconciled us by His death and given us power through His shed blood to finish the race and go the distance.

We have divine power. God has given us everything needed to live godly and to go the distance. Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, taught about the cost of following Him. Even though we are saved, we still make excuses. Let us examine our lives as we strive to go the distance in following Him and doing His will.

Jesus shows us what it means to go the distance. He grew from an infant to completing His mission on earth. He was fully human, yet fully God. He faced pressures and temptations — but took no shortcuts. He was about His Father’s business. We too must be about our Father’s business.

Luke 19:10 (NKJV) — “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus was arrested and executed for our sins — but death could not destroy Him. He died, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of the Father who is interceding for us.

Not only must we believe these facts are true — we must trust Christ as Savior and keep our eyes on the prize. When we remember what He has done for us, there is no excuse not to go the distance.

Jesus tells us that looking back is not an option. Before looking back, we should be reminded of what God has already done and encourage us to press on. The passage shows three would-be disciples who demonstrate the main hindrances to wholehearted discipleship.

Hindrance #1 — Material Comforts and Worldly Pleasures

The first man said, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go,” but he did not consider the cost. Comforts and conveniences can prevent us from going the distance — like the rich young ruler, who walked away sadly because his possessions meant more than following Jesus.

Luke 9:23 (NKJV) — “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Hindrance #2 — Competing Loyalties

The second man said, “Lord, let me first go…” The issue was not burying his father — it was “me first.” Even extreme circumstances such as death must not stop us from going the distance. Jesus was heading to the cross to shed His blood for us — yet He remained focused. So must we.

Hindrance #3 — Distraction and Delay

The third man wanted to bid his family farewell first. Even reasonable requests become hindrances when they delay obedience. We must check our priorities. Going back exposes us to discouragement and distraction.

Luke 9:62 (NKJV) — “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Plowing prepares for sowing — and sowing leads to reaping. Those who begin the work of God must resolve to go the distance.

Jesus wants total dedication — not half-hearted commitment. We cannot pick and choose. We must accept the cross along with the crown.

Matthew 22:37–38 (NKJV) — “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

We must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything that provides security — without looking back. Our focus must be on Jesus. Nothing should distract us from following Him.

Philippians 3:13–14 (NKJV) — “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Looking back is not an option. We must go the distance — and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Father God, thank You for Your Word. Your Word has gone forth and will not return void. Help us recognize the price that You paid. We are saved by grace through faith. Strengthen us to be committed and determined.

You have given us power through Your shed blood. You have given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. Your Holy Spirit guides and leads us. Help us do Your will and continue in Your will — not looking back like Lot’s wife.

Thank You, Lord, for promising to be with us always. Help us recognize that looking back is not an option — because if we do not go the distance, we will not be fit for the kingdom. Help us to go the distance.

We thank You and praise You — in Jesus’ name. Amen.