Christian Churches of God
No. 16z
Summary:
Let the Dead Bury Their Dead
(Edition 2.0 19940416-19991106)
This paper explains the meaning behind this rather terse comment of the Messiah during his ministry (Lk. 9:59-62). The proper application of the principles behind this text is important for harmonious Christian living.
Christian Churches of God
PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA
E-mail:
secretary@ccg.org(Copyright ã 1994, 1999, 2001 Wade Cox
Summary by Patti Gambier, Ed. Wade Cox)
This paper may be freely copied and distributed provided it is copied in total with no alterations or deletions. The publisher’s name and address and the copyright notice must be included. No charge may be levied on recipients of distributed copies. Brief quotations may be embodied in critical articles and reviews without breaching copyright.
This paper is available from the World Wide Web page:
Let the Dead Bury Their Dead
Luke 9:59-62 59 But he said to him, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' 60 But he said to him, 'Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' 61 Another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.' 62 Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'
This seems a harsh statement to many, but Christ was speaking to a man to whom he had offered a place in the ministry. "Follow me", Jesus said.
Not many people in the course of history have received this calling. The world as a whole is "dead" in its transgressions and sins, but God, the Father, calls some out to be made "alive" (Eph. 2:1).
The elect are called out of "death" to be made "alive" for a life of service and dedication in the proclamation of the gospel (good news) of the coming Kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62: But Jesus said to him "No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."
This means that a person called to do the work of God must continue in that work, being made alive to do so. If he looks back, takes his mind off his calling and reverts to his life of trespass and sins, he becomes again "dead" and useless for the work. Thus persons who are called must be committed to the calling.
The elect have their minds opened, by the Holy Spirit, to the mysteries in the word of God, to a knowledge of the plan of God for humanity. This plan is outlined in the Feasts of God, and only by obedience to God’s Laws and the keeping of His Feasts (Lev.23) can the plan be comprehended. It is idolatry to adhere to so-called Christian feasts, which do not show the plan of God. This is disobedience to God and His Law and brings one into the sin of idolatry, which is the state of being "dead".
God calls His elect in progression over the centuries, and thereby sorts out the "living" from the "dead". We are speaking of spiritual "life" and "death". The Pharisees of Christ’s day were "dead", as they had laid aside the commandments of God and were keeping the traditions of men (and teaching these traditions as doctrine) and were polluting the Law given to Moses at Sinai, by including mysticism and other worldly concepts.
Jesus was referring to the spiritually "dead" of the world in his admonitions in Luke. The calling of the elect opens their minds through the Holy Spirit to spiritual truth, and that truth must motivate a response, and a commitment in the person to follow and act on that truth. Thus it is no good to be in a church situation, as part of a congregation, and see that truth being withheld, and not quit that organisation. Staying there would be to condone that violation of truth and place one’s calling in jeopardy. Indeed, any understanding would dissolve away and from being "made alive" one would again be "dead" spiritually.
Everyone had a reason for burying their dead.; a reason for not facing the reality of the calling God has given them, a reason for not changing their lifestyle in order to obey the commandments of God.
This is not to say that those called will be loved by all around. Daniel was fed to the lions because he chose to obey God. His three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace. God, however, chose to find these men acceptable to Him because of their obedience and fear of Him, above what men could do to them, and they were saved alive.
David, as a shepherd lad, fought wild animals to protect his father’s sheep. He was prepared to die for them. Christ was killed in the defence of those given to him by his Father. God’s elect have been killed from the time of righteous Abel and this continued throughout history and will continue to be the fate of many called out ones until Christ’s return.
By acceptance of the calling, and to be made alive, the elect partake in the First Resurrection at Christ’s return. God is the God of the living, not of the dead.
The world is considered dead and will be in the Second Resurrection. Accept the calling Jesus offers you, put your hand to the plow, don’t look back, let the dead bury their dead, be part of the company of the "live" ones, who eat and drink with Christ at his return. Follow Christ now, make your calling sure.
q