The third man in Luke 9 was just about ready to become a full-throttle follower of Christ. His statement “I will follow thee” was followed with a seemingly rational contingency, “but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.” But such a contingency didn’t fly with Jesus.  The Lord replied, “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  

     It seems somewhat unfair that Christ would not permit this man to go home and say good-bye to his family, but consider the ramifications of such a request.  Imagine the conversation as the young man enters his home and bids farewell.  He would be barraged with a line of questions.  Where are you going?  Who are you going with?  When will you return?  What about the family business?  What about our plans for your life?  Parting ways with the homestead to follow the blue-collar carpenter from Nazareth would not have been a popular sentiment with mom and dad.     

That is why Jesus said, “Don’t look back. In order to follow me, you will have to leave whatever it may be that binds you.”  Our relationship with Christ must trump any and everything else in this life, including family and friends.  Christ is still calling men to follow Him, but that calling requires the attitude of wherever, whenever, and even whatever.