Read: Luke 17:26-36

Everyone likes to remember good old days. But for Lot’s wife, the old way of life cost her more than she bargained for and turned out to be very disastrous for her. In Luke 17 Jesus strongly rebuked those who, after coming to Him, looked back affectionately on their former way of life.

Jonathan Edwards said, “All the enjoyments of Sodom will soon be burned. As it is with all the enjoyments of sin, they are all appointed to the fire. And surely it is not worthwhile to look back upon the things that are perishing. Lot’s wife looked back because she remembered the pleasant things she left in Sodom. So it is very often with some Christians. But when they look back, they put themselves under vast disadvantages. They dreadfully harden their own hearts and stupefy their souls by quenching the Spirit of God. They make way for discouragements. They give Satan great advantage to ruin them. Their souls presently become hard like the body of Lot’s wife. And though they live long after, they never get much further.”

Jesus’ call to discipleship is a call to new life. Looking back means, something in your old life is of greater value to you than your new life in Jesus Christ. Looking back allows momentary pleasures to compete with the eternal Saviour. Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). God desires your undivided attention, devotion, and commitment – a truth Lot’s wife learned the hard way, and which was too late. Do not miss the message of her disastrous and costly mistake. Looking back can be hazardous to your health!