Until we have been taken through a thorough wilderness of sanctification, until we are absolutely convinced that we have been bought at a price, one of the most seemingly insensitive statements we hear Jesus speak is this:
"Another disciple said to him, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father'. But Jesus told him, 'Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'" (Matthew8:21-22, Luke 9:59-60)
As with all that Jesus taught, he was revealing a Kingdom unfamiliar to human nature. He did not teach in order to be immediately obeyed, rather he declares the state of a new creation that would develop over time within those He chose before time began.
Beyond the expected time of mourning, reminiscing over old photographs and memories is no different than visiting the grave sites of loved ones passed away. We stop dead in our tracks of walking out our faith and look affectionately back at a season ordained to be concluded.
Sympathizing with the days of old is to invest in something that holds no life, no future.
"Say not, 'Why were the former days better than these?'
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
"Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
an advantage to those who see the sun." (Ecclesiastes 7:10-11)
"Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 9:62)
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)
To everyone whom Christ has yet to reveal Himself as Lord will either, by the Spirit, persevere or by offense, fall away.
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
"Say not, 'Why were the former days better than these?'
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
"Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
an advantage to those who see the sun." (Ecclesiastes 7:10-11)
"Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 9:62)
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)
To everyone whom Christ has yet to reveal Himself as Lord will either, by the Spirit, persevere or by offense, fall away.
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
PJR
..."how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." (Hebrews 9:14)
A deeply challenging and needful post at this time Paul. Let the dead bury the dead is a phrase that has been churning around inside of me repeatedly in recent weeks. Samuel mourned for Saul until the Lord said to him "how long will you mourn what I have rejected?" Interesting and important thoughts. Thankyou!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl, for always adding wealth to the topic.
DeleteIt is interesting that Samuel, being a prophet of God, had found something so sentimental with Saul, especially after knowing that Saul was trying to kill the one Samuel had annointed, by the instruction of God, as next king. I can only think how weak the flesh can be no matter how strong the Spirit of God is working in us. But there is something profound in this combination!
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