The Perils of Glancing Backward at the Plough: A Personal View

Reading the calling of the would-be disciples (Luke 9:62) in their native language and context makes more sense to us who have either plowed ourselves or seen it firsthand before. I couldn’t understand the text better than someone who has lived with a plow. This paper is my attempt to explain the text in a Nepali context. The passage (9:57–62) is a call from Jesus to three prospective disciples, where Jesus highlights this verse (62) as the main qualification to become his disciple.

A. Qualification of a disciple (Luke 9:62)

Anyone who begins their journey and then looks back is not suitable for the kingdom of God. Jewish traditions seem to inspire the analogy of putting a hand on a plow and looking back. Apparently, the plow in the ancient Jewish world is more or less similar to the plow still being used in today’s world in the southern hemisphere. Plow, in its simplest structure, is a triangular blade that fits in the wooden forked frame. Often times, oxen pull the plough. In some cultures, water buffaloes, asses, or sometimes people also pull the plow to furrow the field. When a plowman plows the field, he must look straight ahead to make the furrow straight. Looking back is a sign of distraction or being ignorant of his work and responsibility. Such a man is not trustworthy. Master can only hope that this kind of servant will finish the job well. In the same manner, Jesus says that a person with such character cannot be entrusted with kingdom responsibilities, thus being a misfit in his kingdom.

B. Assessment and Application

We usually undermine the challenges of following Christ. Self-denial, bearing a cross, and following are three major qualifying attributes that Jesus’ followers must possess. In our present-day self-centered culture, we promote self-indulgence, egocentricity, and narcissism rather than denying our pride, prejudices, and ungodliness. And we take immense comfort in what Jesus has achieved for us. We want Jesus in our lives. We love church and the church calendar full of events. Furthermore, we love to identify ourselves as Christians, followers of Christ. In return, we do not want to talk about the other aspect of our personal and communal relationship with Jesus. To associate ourselves with Jesus or be called followers of Jesus bears significant meaning. In light of the passage where Jesus has established certain qualifications for being called his follower, this is a serious matter.

In the Gospel narratives, the crowd also followed him to a certain degree. They were following Jesus more in a physical sense than a spiritual sense. But when Jesus calls us to follow him, he demands that we follow him wholeheartedly. Based on his reactions to those three would-be followers regarding the importance of putting a hand on the plow and not looking back, I can apply this narrative to my own culture and context.

Such behavior is common sense: a hardworking plowman is never going to put his hand on the plow and look back. There are certain ramifications for what I think could happen when ignoring this common sense.

1. If a plowman looks back or becomes distracted while his one hand is on the plow, he will most likely miss the furrow, and plowing will not be straight.
2. Putting one hand on the plow and looking back cannot dig the earth deep enough for proper cultivation and aeration. Harvesting a successful crop also depends on the depth of the furrow and proper tilling.
3. A steady and firm grip on the plow is often necessary to complete the task.
4. Another serious consequence of putting one hand on the plow and looking back is breaking the plowshare or shoe in the process of furrowing. Plowing too deeply into the earth can detach the plowshare from the shoe and may occasionally result in breaking the share, shoe, or even the shaft itself. That means a chunk of time will be needed to replace the plowshare or shaft, even if the extra one is readily available. It is a waste of time and energy. In the context of this text, it is very unlikely that a family keeps an extra plowshare, shaft, or blade in their homes. No one would want to use or hire such a plowman.
5. Putting one hand on the plow and looking back can be a hazard for cattle too. If the plowman is not careful enough and the share/blade is either too deep in the earth or up in the shallows, the blade can pierce the hind legs of oxen or any other animals (in some contexts, buffaloes or donkeys or mules) that are tied to the yoke, which is connected to the beam. Once the blade cuts one of the oxen, you have to obtain another one. Again, it is most unlikely that a neighbor let you borrow his ox in the busy season of farming. Or worse, you are out of a job until your ox recovers from injury.

As hirers, we seek individuals who remain focused on their work, without considering the potential consequences of their actions. Then, how can we misunderstand Jesus’ call to keep our hands on the plow and not look back? From this passage, I understand that there are three key qualifications for discipleship: self-denial, bearing a cross, and following Jesus with my focus forward and my hand firmly on the plow.