January 10
21”Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”(Matthew 8:21-22
As Jesus began His ministry, the Disciples were trying to finish some last minute obligations before they dropped everything to follow Jesus. In this passage, the disciple is wishing to bury his own father and Jesus tells him that not a moment could be wasted, he was to let the “dead bury their own dead” and immediately follow Jesus. Perhaps Jesus was so pressing because He already knew His fate and knew His last three years were so limited. I like to think this is why Jesus was so pressing. His initial Disciples did not have a moment to spare. Their time from when He began His ministry to His crucifixion was extremely short. This passage isn’t referring to us, the modern day Christian Church. We still have plenty of time to tend to our obligations, to continue to stew in worldly distractions, to casually worship and attend church, and slowly read the God’s Holy word chapter by chapter.
Or maybe this passage speaks to us more now than ever. I know that I feel like I have wasted nearly twenty years of my life as I walked away from the Church, and allowed college and life push me far away from Jesus. But now I have to make up some space, follow Jesus with my whole heart, and make amends for the way I strayed for so long. I am ready to let the dead things in my life bury the dead, and will follow Jesus wherever His calling leads. Ten days in, are you ready to do the same?
Reading plan: Matthew Chapter 8
Deeper reading plan: add on Genesis Chapters 35-40
Prayer and meditation: continue to pray for your request from day 1 and ask God to guide you on how to follow Jesus.
Fitness challenge: Second week of our 7×14 challenge. Only one set still, but take your time and focus on your form.
1. Standard push-up 2. Sit-up or crunches
3. Air squats 4. Hand-release push-up
5. Leg lifts 6. Lunges (7-each leg)
7. 4-count flutter kick
Common Sense Reborn 