Let the dead bury their own dead

Matthew 8:21-22
Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

It seems to center on what is important. Following Jesus means we lead a different life. We'll have different priorities. Here, Jesus puts it in stark terms: following Me is the most important thing. Even significant family events are trivial. Let the world chase after what it thinks is important. You are to focus on something different.

Jesus makes a similar point when talking dealing with the sisters Martha and Mary. Martha was worried about making the house clean and was cleaning frantically when Jesus came. Mary, however, chose to drop everything and come sit at His feet. When Martha asked Jesus to make Mary get up and help her, Jesus responded that Mary was right.


It may seem counterintuitive to drop everything to sit at His feet, but He is good about ensuring the time we gave to Him wasn't wasted (it never is BTW)