Let the Dead Bury the Dead

It is often the case that when God calls us to follow Him, we dream up excuses to either delay the time of decision, or refuse the call altogether.  Although our reasons may seem legitimate and reasonable, our conscience will tell us whether we are being honest or not.  When God calls us to a deeper commitment of our life to His service then we must act promptly, joyfully and generously.  He will accept nothing less than our wholehearted yes.  Because He gave the Father nothing less that His wholehearted yes for our sakes.

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Luke 9:23

²³Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

We cannot be so caught up with family ties that we have no time or interest for matters of greater importance family must take second place to the Kingdom of God.

Luke 9:59-62

⁵⁹To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” ⁶²Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Family ties are placed in a wider context.

Jesus was neither hard, harsh, callous or unsympathetic – but the call to discipleship demands our complete loyalty.

“Leave the spiritually dead to bury the physically dead.”  Those who are serious about being Jesus’ followers must realize that God’s work is most important.  Working for God’s Kingdom is more important than burying the dead.

Those who want to follow Jesus totally and radically must be prepared to give up everything for His sake that is why the challenge cannot be diluted.

There are no half measures in Christ’s call to discipleship one gives Him one’s whole life and heart.

Revelations 3:16

¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

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