Let the Dead Bury Their Own
This is the third in a series of articles about following Jesus entitled “Counting the Cost.” In this article we are going to look at Luke 9:59-62:
59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The verse about not letting the man bury his father before following Jesus can seem harsh. Did Jesus really forbid a man from paying his last respects to his dead father if he wanted to follow him? Let’s look at this a little closer.
Counting the Cost
In this verse Jesus has asked the man to follow him. The man seemed willing to follow, but told Jesus he had to bury his father first. This seems like a reasonable request, so why did Jesus challenge the man on it?
Most study bibles and bible commentaries agree that the man’s father was probably very old, maybe sick, but still alive. If the man’s father was dead at this point he would not have been away from his family at this time in the first place.
If this is the case the man could have been delaying following Jesus by months or even years. Jesus is telling this man that there is no time for delay. The time is now, Jesus wants him to proclaim the Kingdom immediately. The man had a clear choice to make and he was choosing his family over Jesus. This man’s first response to Jesus was to make an excuse for not following him.1
Either you believe and are committed in your heart to follow and proclaim, or you are not committed and you waiver and make excuses.
The second example is easier to understand. This man had ties to his past life that he didn’t seem quite willing to give up just yet, and Jesus called him out on it. Again, Jesus must come first.
Hearing this story, it’s hard not to think of Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt because she missed the sinful life and the possessions she was leaving behind in Genesis 19:26.
In contrast, when Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John they immediately stopped what they were doing and followed him.2 Likewise, when Jesus called Matthew a little later on3 he did the same.
These men did not hesitate and they did not make excuses. They were all doing their jobs when they were called, and they all left their livelihood behind and put their faith in Jesus.
No Excuses
The lesson here is that there are no excuses for not following Jesus, there is nothing more important. When you follow Jesus you should not look back on your past life with longing. When you are alive in Christ you want to be dead to sin.
In both of these instances the men were not ready to make the commitment. They were in effect saying, yeah I’d like to follow you, but I don’t want to give up on my lifestyle just yet. I’ll live the way I want for a little while longer and then I’ll repent and move on.
But that is not good enough because that day might never come. At that point it will be too late. You will have to answer for your decision. Jesus warned us about the person who was more worried about earthly goods and having fun instead of seeking God:
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”4
Are you a person who has built up treasures on earth, but whose soul is barren? Have you not left your past life behind so you can have a little more “fun” before committing fully to Jesus? Do you think there is plenty of time to repent?
If so, your heart is in the wrong place and you need to turn to Christ before it is too late. None of us know when our soul will be required of us, but we should all follow Christ as if it will be today, because one day it will be.
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