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Fred's Mule

"And Jesus said to him,
“No one who puts a hand to the plow
and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

One Semester I attended Summer School in Tennessee living with Aunt Jose and her nephew Fred.

Aunt Jose grew up in the village and Fred, her nephew unable able to care for himself, came down from the mountains to live with her.

Aunt Josie had planted an enormous vegetable garden by her house tending it carefully as Fred pulled weeds.

One morning I woke up to Aunt Jose yelling at Fred angry enough to call the “fires down from heaven”

Looking out my bedroom window, I saw Fred had attached a mule to a plow yelling “Gee” then “Haw” again “Gee, Haw”.

The mule was plowing across the vegetable’s rows instead of down the furrows.

I got out of bed, went down to the garden, grabbed the mule by the halter, and led it up and down the furrows.

Plowing a field means watching carefully in front of you to maintain straight furrows.

Looking backward means swerving one way or another.

What does Jesus mean saying, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”?

Reflecting on this, Jesus seems to be saying disciples have a higher standard than using scripture impulsively for hasty, violent actions like commanding fire from heaven. (2 Kings 1: 10-12)

James and John’s request about fire from heaven will only lead to thinking God is on their side and the Samaritans are wrong.

Consider looking back asking yourself, “who are my Samaritans?” Are they race, gender, ethnic, economic?

Now, put your hands to the plow, look ahead, and prioritize your actions to fully and faithfully follow Jesus.


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