Jesus used so many parables and metaphors to describe the Kingdom of God. Today I want to spend a few moments considering the metaphor of plowing used in Luke 9:62. Jesus said in this passage, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Plowing is hard work! Jesus in this Scripture is at work preparing us for those time when we can be plowing and feel like giving up. He’s in effect saying ‘I want you to succeed, but I’m preparing you in advance for those tough times that will come, and when they do, don’t give up!’
Jesus used a lot of agricultural metaphors to describe the Kingdom of God. A lot of the people He addressed in that day would have been familiar with what is involved with plowing a field. Today we have tractors, but similar principles still apply. In natural terms, plowing prepares the way for the sowing of seed.
Ground that is not plowed is too hard to receive seed, while plowed ground is softened by the plow and furrows are created which open the ground for the seed to be sown. Plowing removes debris, roots, rocks and other obstacles. Plowing also ensures that the seed has the best chance of surviving and thriving, once it begins to germinate.
Dry, hard ground is much more difficult to plow than ground that has been soaked in the rain. There are times in the Kingdom when the ground will be hard and we need to pray and believe God for the rain of His Spirit to come and soften the ground to make things easier!
Plowing is a partnership. With a plow, an animal does the hard work of pulling the plow and it’s the farmer’s job to stay with it. In a similar way, when it comes to the work of the Kingdom, we need to rely on God’s strength. Our work is to believe on Him who He has sent (John 6:29); to pray, to seek God, and rest in His promises. To say the things He calls us to say and to do the things He asks us to do. The results are with God.
Plowing has to do with laboring in the Kingdom of God; preparing the hearts of people to receive the seed of the word of God. It also refers to the work done by the Spirit of God in our lives… to change us and prepare us for all He has planned for us. Plowing requires faith that as we put the effort in, at some point in the future, there will be a reward. Plowing is preparation work. Don’t despise the plowing of God that He does in your life!
God did a lot of plowing in the lives of many biblical characters; I love the story of Joseph. Psalm 105:19 says, “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Josephs character.” Joseph went through so much, he could have given up through all those years of plowing and yet, when the time came he was ready. His character was equal to the magnitude of the fulfillment of God’s promise.
And then this Scripture says in effect “Once, you’ve started moving forward, don’t look back or you won’t be fit for the Kingdom of God.” This is similar to the Scripture “My righteous one shall live by faith and I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back” (Hebrews 10:38) Faith always moves forward! The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom that is always advancing! God wants the best for our lives and the breakthroughs come when we don’t give up! When we do the hard work of plowing, the seasons of sowing and harvest will come!
Now there will be times in our Christian walk where we will stumble and fall, but today I want to encourage you that if you do fall – fall forward! If you’re in pain because of something you’ve been through, don’t run from God, run to God! When the plowing gets hard, even if all you can do is stand, then do that. Even if you don’t feel like you can take another step, be determined to go forward.
I remember a number of years ago, I felt like quitting the ministry. I walked into my mentor’s office and told him I was quitting. He looked at me and said “No you’re not,” and he threatened me with one of his swords from his ceremonial sword collection. At that point I said “Alright! Alright! I’m not quitting!” My mentor wasn’t going to let me quit, and I believe that is the heart of God. Life will get hard at times, but we need to remember in those hard times to keep moving forward.
There are seasons in life. There are times to plow and times to reap a harvest. Maybe today you have become weary in well doing. Today, I want to encourage you – don’t turn back, keep moving forward, you are preparing the ground for harvest. Your labour in the Lord is never in vain! Every tear shed, every prayer you have prayed, every act of obedience and faith all counts for something! It’s all contributing towards a great harvest and the building of the Kingdom of God!
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