As Jesus traveled teaching and healing, His popularity grew. Because of this influence, many expressed interest in following Him. However, not all of them proved to be true followers. They didn’t understand the weight and responsibility of being one of His disciples. So, what is the cost of following Jesus?
Read Me Next! – Bible Verses For A Holy Heart Posture
Teacher, I Will Follow You
Jesus attracted much attention. Large crowds often gathered around Him wherever He went, and from those crowds came men who desired to join His flock. However, Jesus was never one to mince His words. He spoke the truth. So when a scribe approached Him and stated that he would follow Him wherever He went (Matthew 8:19), Jesus responded honestly. He didn’t promise him a life of glamour, popularity, or even security.
‘Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” ‘ Matthew 8:20
Jesus lived His life completely by faith as He did the will of the Father. Though He was welcomed in many homes, he did not have one of His own. He did not depend on material resources but on heavenly ones. To be a true follower of Christ, you had to sacrifice the comforts of men to answer the call of God.
Let The Dead Bury The Dead
Once Jesus revealed the true cost of following Him, another responded with a request – to first bury his father.
“Lord,” another of his disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” ‘ Matthew 8:21-22
At first read, Jesus’ response is quite puzzling. What exactly does He mean when He says “Let the dead bury their own dead?” Is Jesus against the custom of burying and mourning the dead? And how can the deceased possibly bury the deceased? Well, the man wasn’t necessarily communicating that his father was already dead. Other commentators believe that in Jesus’ day, this phrase also expressed a desire to stay with a father until he died, which could be years away. Perhaps, after hearing the realities of homelessness, this man became hesitant. But why such a harsh response from the Lord?
Jesus wasn’t speaking of the physically dead but the spiritually – those who are not alive in Christ. His teachings often challenged those He was addressing with great specificity. Being led by the Spirit, His responses reveal what is in a person’s heart while simultaneously conveying a truth. I do not know what was in this man’s heart. I can only infer that the realities of following Jesus caused him to question his commitment. Regardless, Jesus uses this moment to teach us that the Kingdom of God is the priority. Our responsibility is not to bury the dead but to bring life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A True Disciple
Many followed Jesus. We often only think of His core group of twelve disciples but there were more. In a broader sense, a disciple is anyone who follows Jesus. But as the Bible teaches us, a true disciple must be able to count the cost. We must be willing to sacrifice our desires, comforts, and temporary security for an eternal one. Jesus tells us that if we want to follow Him, we must deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24). This is a true disciple.
With Love,
Tamara
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References:
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
