Posted on 07/28/2025 5:03:17 AM PDT by metmom
“Another of the disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead’” (Matthew 8:21–22).
Like the scribe, this second man disappears from the record after approaching Jesus. Evidently the Lord’s discipleship demands were too strict and the appeal of discipleship vanished (cf. Matt. 19:16–22). Christ’s instruction to follow Him simply means, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24).
The Lord Jesus always made it clear that commitment must be complete or not at all. Consider this:
I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (Matt. 10:34–38)
This is not speaking of Christian service but of salvation. God won’t save anyone who comes to him with strings attached.
People have long admired Christ for His authority, moral teaching, ethical standards, love and healing, even His deity. But in spite of all that, they have failed to submit themselves to Him. J. C. Ryle has written, “The saddest road to hell is the one that runs under the pulpit, past the Bible, and through the middle of warnings and invitations.”
Ask Yourself
How have you suffered rejection and disdain for your Christian faith?
What would still be lacking in your life if you had the acceptance of others but not the acceptance of Christ?
Studying God’s Word ping
I think Jesus is teaching that if I truly do believe in Him as Lord, God, Savior and Creator, then why wouldn’t I also fully submit to Him and His will? Jesus isn’t just something you put on a shelf and take down once a week on Sunday — it is a total commitment because He IS Lord of all.
I think that’s the problem with a lot of people who call themselves Christians. This certainly doesn’t mean we are saved because of our good works and obedience — it is by GRACE we are saved and that means we can’t/don’t earn or merit it. Making a personal decision of trusting in Jesus Christ to save is the first step. The way we live out that faith through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the process towards sanctification that proves true, life altering faith. A genuine faith will bring forth a true walk with Christ in a life that honors and glorifies Him. And in the end, we are received into glory and eternity with Him, our Redeemer and King.
Out of gratitude for what He’s done for us and a desire to please the One we love and who loves us so much, not out of fear of going to hell if we don’t.
BIG difference.
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