Burying the Dead

Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

Matt. 8:21-22

When Jesus returned from his time in the wilderness and crossed the Jordan river, there was but one central message to his proclamation. Mark puts it this way:

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:14:15

The centrality of that message for Jesus was a pathway to Jerusalem and to the cross. Jesus knew he only had three years to plant the seeds of his kingdom. The importance of that message is seen in the passage of Matthew above. Between attending to important matters in this world, like burying one's father, the message of the kingdom is of more importance. What Jesus sought were disciples. He was not interested in engaging in endless disputes over matters of the law. Today, the church should be seeking the same thing ---disciples. Today in America I sense that there is a hunger by some who wish to live in the kingdom and do spiritual battle against the powers and principalities of this dark world. Those who seek the kingdom are not worried about "doing church" in just the right way. The kingdom offers a relationship with a loving God who cares about those who are hurting; but, the path is narrow and it requires great courage and commitment. Christianity is not just something in which we believe; but, it is embodied in a group of believers who live and share a common faith in community. We are broken people who are forgiven and healed by grace. And, in that being made new creatures through the power of the cross, we are given life, meaning and purpose.