THE DEAD MUST BURY THEIR DEAD!
Luke 9:57-62 (60) – Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (NIV)
Continuing from yesterday, Jesus said to another man, ‘Follow me!’ But, the gentleman replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father’. This man gave priority to his father’s burial, perhaps because he wanted to claim his inheritance or stay close for a year to rebury the bones (a practice of some Jews those days). However, Christ’s response in our Bible reading, makes clear that the man’s request meant that he placed ‘tradition or his desires above God’s work’.
But who are ‘the dead’ whom Jesus referred to as the ones to bury their dead? Take note that the Jews often used the word ‘dead’ to express that something has no power. For example, being dead to the law or sin means that they both have no control over us (Romans 6:11; 7:4). Therefore, in this case, the ‘people of the world’ are dead because they neither hear God’s voice nor follow Him (John 10:27), and as such, they are those who Christ referred to as the (spiritually) dead who should bury their (physically) dead relatives.
In sum, Jesus was telling the man, ‘Let the people, who are ‘dead in sin’ (Ephesians 2:1) and less interested in My work, take care of the dead. You now must preach the gospel.’ While the Bible states clearly that we are to honour our parents (Ephesians 6:2), yet we must understand that God’s kingdom comes first. To be a Christ’ disciple, ‘traditions and self’ must die in your life (Matthew 6:33).
PRAYER
Hymn: Anywhere with Jesus – Jessie B. Pounds (1887)
1. Father, help me to walk by the spirit, to follow You!
(MIDNIGHT PRAYER)
1. Spend quality time to address every of your contrary action to God’s purpose for your life.
GOD ABOVE OTHERS!
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