There are several sayings attributed to Jesus in the Gospels that are difficult to understand. Probably many of them are lost on us because of the different customs, popular phrases of that time, and not always being able to know who, exactly, is the audience being addressed by each particular passage. The land and culture of Palestine 2,000 years ago is quite different than the global, media-driven reality of 2024. This is not to say that we have any better grasp of what life means today than we do of life in the time of Jesus.
One of these sayings that always puzzles me is in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 8:18-22). Jesus has realized that his mission is larger just than being the local healer in Capernaum. Their were still crowds of people pressing around him to be cured and freed from their “demons,” when he gave the order to his disciples to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, to get on with their broader mission.
Right at the moment of their departure, a teacher of the Law approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go!’ Jesus, instead of responding, “Follow me,” uses examples from nature to give this learned man a picture of the cost of discipleship, what it will mean to follow him. “Foxes have their dens, and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has (read “I have”) nowhere to lay his (my) head.” Jesus is saying, “Look friend, if you follow me, you will not have a nice, quiet space, and hour upon hour to study the Law. I don’t even know where I will sleep tonight.”
At that point, one of Jesus’ followers says to him, “I’m ready to follow you, Lord, just let me go home and bury my father first.” Jesus answers, “You follow me now, let the dead bury their own dead.” Sounds harsh. This disciple only wants to fulfill his duties as a son. What does Jesus mean?
In countries with hot climates, either wet or arid, those who die are buried very quickly, because the corpse begins to decay rapidly. And the average person cannot afford the luxury of embalming. So, this disciple is saying, “My father is alive now, but he will die sooner rather than later. I’ll wait at home until then. After his death, I’m all yours.”
Jesus, with his enigmatic reply is saying, “Let those who have crafted their lives into a coffin of certitude and security take care of those who are similarly dead. You follow me into the adventure of insecurity and uncertainty of those who choose to be alive to the challenges and invitations of this moment, and entrust themselves to the security of God’s promise of love. This is how you will help to bring to birth God’s Kingdom more fully today.”
Jesus had a great sense of urgency about his mission. He didn’t know how much time he would have to do what Abba God is asking of him – to proclaim, and to inaugurate, the coming of God’s Kingdom. Anyone who chooses to follow him needs to have the same sense of urgency. “Now is the time! The Kingdom of God is at hand! Are you committed to this, or not?” A response of, “Yes, I will, but…” is lacking the necessary immediacy. There’s work to be done! Just look around you!
What are we waiting to have happen before we do what we can to make our world a better place for all? What are our excuses and rationalizations for not acting decisively for what we know is right and good? How are we proclaiming and bringing about God’s Kingdom of Love, Truth, Freedom, Justice, Peace today? How do our lives demonstrate a priority and commitment to promote, here and now, these Kingdom values? How alive are we?
Maureen O'Reilly says:
Your explanation of both the nature of death in the times Jesus was alive, and of His sense of urgency and it’s application to us were very concrete and did much to explain this tricky Gospel narrative! Thanks so much!!