Do Not Look Back

In Greek mythology, one of the more famous stories is that of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus, a famed musician, lamented the loss of his wife Eurydice. His song was so mournful that the Greek gods advised Orpheus to travel to the underworld. He does so, hoping that he will be able to retrieve his lost love. The song he plays while traveling though the underworld is so beautiful that he was able to charm the three-headed dog named Cerberus, which guarded the entrance to the underworld. His song was even able to cause Persephone and Hades, the rulers of the underworld to weep. This was something that had never been accomplished before and according to the myth, was never accomplished again. They allowed Orpheus to take his wife back to the human world on one condition; Orpheus was to walk ahead of his wife and could not look back until he and his wife had exited the underworld. Orpheus rejoiced knowing that the love he once lost would finally be at his side again. As they traveled, he listened with the hopes that he could hear her footsteps. He was unaware that those who resided in the spirit world made no sound as they walked. As they traveled, Orpheus began to doubt. He began fearing that his Eurydice may have somehow lost sight of her husband and was wandering through the underworld looking for him. Finally, as they neared the entrance to the human world Orpheus looked back, fearing the worst. He saw as his wife was ripped from his presence back into the underworld. Orpheus never saw his wife again. He was mere steps from his goal and lost that which was most dear for all eternity.

Do not look back. This was the key message when Christ stated: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). He spoke these words in dealing with three men. The first claimed that he would follow Christ wherever He traveled (Luke 9:57). Christ responded: And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (Luke 9:58). Christ let this man know that if one were to follow Him, the path would not be an easy one. Although the animals of the field had homes to which they could go at night, the followers of Christ would not have it as easy. He turned to another individual and said, “Follow me.” This second individual gave the excuse that he first wanted to bury his father (Luke 9:59). To this remark Christ stated that this man should “let the dead bury the dead” and that this man should go and preach of the kingdom that came in Acts 2 (Luke 9:60). There was nothing this man could do for his father as his father was physically dead, yet there were those who were dead spiritually who needed the message of the coming kingdom. Again, Christ looked to another man and said “Follow me.” This third man responded with an inquiry. He would follow Christ, but asked that he be allowed to first say goodbye to his family (Luke 9:61). Christ’s response to this statement can be summed up in four words. “Do not look back.” Those words should ring loud and clear to any listener. A child of God should not look back at the life he or she once lived. In the instance of this man, had he taken the time to say goodbye to his family, there is no promise that he would have come back. There is a possibility that the family could have swayed their relative from following the Lord. If we look back at the way things were, there is a chance that we may go and never return to following Christ. This is especially true when a Christian is facing trouble in some form or fashion. One look back and the temptation to return to the old way of life may be too great. Like Orpheus, one might look back and lose that which is most dear to him or her for all eternity. For the Christian, that is the rest that is promised to us in Heaven. In speaking to these men, Christ did three things. First, He stated that His followers would not walk an easy path. Second, there was a greater need in walking that path and showing it to others. Finally, He stated that one must not look back. May we never look back, but instead continue steadfast and focused on Christ.