Friday, July 12, 2013
Luke 9:59-60 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."
THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS GIVES ALLEGIANCE FIRST TO HEAVENLY TASKS
Every employer wants employees who are dedicated to the task at hand. Jesus also wants followers who put the work of His Kingdom first. Jesus called a man to follow Him, but this man said, Lord, let me first go and bury my father. The response of Jesus may at first glance seem harsh, but let's take a careful look. Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God. First of all realize that Jesus is not advocating the neglect of family duties and other earthly responsibilities we have. As Christians we will do our utmost to be good parents and children, and employers and employees, but our top priority should be the work of God. Note that this man said, let me first bury my father. Jesus had even more important work for him to do which was to proclaim far and wide the kingdom of God. The rest could wait.
If you want to know how to prioritize, look to Jesus as an example. As a twelve year old boy in Jerusalem he didn't travel back immediately with his parents, but remained and talked with the religious teachers in the temple. When His parents found Him and scolded Him, His reply was, Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business? His Father's business was redeeming the world from sin. This was His top priority, and the goal in front of His eyes that led Him into the temple that day, that led Him to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, and which led Him to teach the people and to heal them, and eventually led Him to the cross.
While on the cross, undergoing the worst suffering imaginable, Jesus saw to it that the apostle John would take care of His widowed mother after He was gone. So Jesus did His Father's business, and took care of His earthly responsibilities, but He put first things first. As His followers this is our goal as well. We all have limited time, money, and energy, and God deserves much more than the left-overs. The work of a disciple is important and long lasting. By our words and example we are introducing and also reintroducing people to their Savior from sin. We can make known to others that there is more than this work-a-day world. There is a better life to come, and the only entrance is through Jesus Christ, for only through Him comes the forgiveness of sins.
