"LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD."
(MATTHEW 8:22; LUKE 9:60.)
"But Jesus said unto him, "Follow Me; and let the dead bury their dead." A.V.
J.N. Darbys' translation is even more pointed, "leave the dead to bury their own dead."
These words were spoken by One possessing intrinsic deity, even the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they are "God-breathed!"
Here in this scene, the lovely, impeccable Man Christ Jesus, displayed in unalloyed perfection, divine love, gentleness, tender mercy, kindness and infinite compassion; yet He is Himself the Speaker of these apparently "hard words!"
He was addressing a man, a disciple, who claimed that a filial obligation, the burial of his father, must supercede and thus delay his obedience to follow the Master.
The Saviour NEVER advocated the abandonment of family relations, claims and responsibilities. Indeed, He demonstarated as none other, His real subjection to His mother and to Joseph throughout His childhood; and in His unparalelled loving care for His mother, when in agonising suffering on dread Golgothas' tree, He there entrusted her to the care of His devoted disciple, John.
But while we learn here that in" all things He must have the pre-eminence," and very especially our hearts' affections and consequent faith-obedience; a love excelling all other "loves," so as to render them "hatred" in comparison, even our love for our nearest and dearest kin; there appears, (at least to me,) to be much more embraced in this divine principle.
Who are the dead referred to in these scriptures? was the father already dead or did the son want to remain at home until his fathers' death? Did he want to "postpone" his discipleship?
These questions seem relevant, and I believe they are easily addressed.
The father was definitely physically dead and spiritually dead, having died in his sins.If this was not the case the disciple would have phrased his request differently and the Lord Jesus would have replied in different terms too.
The Saviours' reference to the "dead" who were enjoined to bury "their own dead" demonstarated that they were still alive physically, but spiritually, morally dead! They were unbelievers!
Is this incident in the Gospel accounts simply an injunction to the people of God to wholly devoted obedience and service for Him; or is it a divine principle in connection with our involvement with the death of unbelievers?
I believe that it embraces the latter as well as the former and thus believers are enjoined to have NOTHING to do with the death and subsequent burial of unbelievers.
This injunction has been upon my heart for some considerable time. If I give offence to anyone please believe this is not my intention, nor is it my desire to promote controversy among my fellow believers.
Two quotations from true servants of God will, perhaps should it please the Lord, give some explanation as to why I have been so troubled by these scriptures.
Some years ago this report appeared in a "Brethren" magazine; I quote: "I have been asked to take eight funerals in as many weeks here in M...... Seven of them were for people who as far as we can tell, were unsaved and two were brothers who died in sad circumstances. There is always tension between trying to be comforting to grieving relatives and being faithful to the word of God. We pray that words spoken will cause people to think about their own eternal destiny."
The second quotation is very recent and equally as sad and disturbing. "On many occasions I have the tragic duty of attending these funerals (of unbelievers,) which are most miserable occasions without the Lord.
I have real heart-felt sympathy for these two sincere servants of the Lord, but I feel certain these testimonies only serve to establish the fuller meaning of the scripture exhortations I have referred to in this article. Once again I beg your forgiveness if you feel in any way offended.
I have withheld the names of my two brethren, and the organ in which these quotes are found, in deference to them. All the underlining for emphasis is mine.
