Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:129-136
Wisdom of the Day: Job 41:18-34
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:57-62
The second of our Lord's sayings is addressed to one whom Jesus invited to follow Him. The answer He received was a very remarkable one. "Lord," said the man, "allow me first to go and bury my father." The thing he requested was in itself harmless. But the time at which the request was made was unseasonable. Affairs of far greater importance than even a father's funeral, demanded the man's immediate attention. There would always be plenty of people ready and fit to take care of a funeral. But there was at that moment, a pressing need of laborers to do Christ's work in the world. And hence the man's request drew from our Lord the solemn reply, "Let the dead bury their dead — but you go and preach the kingdom of God."
Let us learn, from this saying to beware of allowing family and social duties to interfere with our duty to Christ. Funerals, and marriages, and visits of courtesy, and the like unquestionably are not in themselves sinful. But when they are allowed to absorb a believer's time, and keep him back from any plain Christian duty, they become a snare to his soul. That the unconverted people of the world, should allow these kind of things to occupy all their time and thoughts, is not astonishing. They know nothing higher, and better, and more important."
Let the dead bury their dead." But the heirs of glory, and children of the King of kings should be men of a different stamp. They should declare plainly, by their conduct, that the world to come is the great reality which fills their thoughts. They should not be ashamed to let men see that they have no time either to rejoice or to sorrow like others who have no hope.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to keep my focus on loving you only.
Action Plan: The death of loved ones brings much grief, but God always has a plan for us. What opportunities for ministry does God give in these circumstances? How can you share his comfort and love with those who are hurting? How can you find peace?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
