Scripture:
Matthew 8:16-22 NKJV
[16] When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, [17] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.” [18] And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. [19] Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” [20] And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” [21] Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” [22] But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Observation:
As we examine the portion of Scripture that was brought to us this morning. We see an interesting paradox. Verses 16 and 17 confirm what the Old Testament said about the Messiah, and I believe it’s important to remember that this is quickly following what is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Where Jesus had just laid out to a large crowd what it looks like to be his followers. The people were pumped up and ready to get to work for GOD. Especially after seeing HIM heal the sick. I mean all the teaching that HE had just done was fresh on their minds, but the fact that he had cast out demons and healed the sick quickly took their focus. To the point that everyone wanted to follow HIM. I’m sure the excitement of the moment was intense. Watching demons flee at HIS command and those who were sick healed through the mighty power of GOD. Emotions were on high. Everyone loved HIM. Can you hear the murmuring, ” HE just cast out that demon from Jocbed, now he is in his right mind. That’s nothing HE healed Meshta, she has never been able to stand up straight, now she’s walking around just like you and me. HE is a way maker, miracle worker, I wonder if HE is the Messiah? We won’t know for sure unless we follow HIM. You’re right, let’s do it.” As they began to speak up. Jesus listened carefully. HE had been pretty active at this point. A leper had been healed, the centurion’s servant was healed as well, with just a word from quite possibly miles away, through the faith spoken by the centurion. Peter’s mother-in-law was healed as well. All this caught the attention of those watching. As they started bringing HIM more and more people to heal the astonishment grew so did the excitement. Emotions were on high. There is an interesting statement at the end of verse 17, “HE HIMSELF took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” The Lamb of GOD who came to take away the sins of the world. As Jesus continues in this moment. It was time to move forward. Seeing a large multitude of people, HE gave the command to depart to the other side. That’s when it happened. They all started to speak up. Teacher, I will follow you anywhere you go. But to their surprise, HIS response was more than likely not what they had expected to hear. In a sense, what HE said is, ” Now you know I’m homeless, right? Following me is going to cost you something.” The words HE used were different from what I just said but that is the just of it. Our savior had no place to lay HIS head, no place to call home here on earth. As the weight of what HE had said still lingered, someone else spoke up, “As soon as my mom and dad die, I will follow You. This statement showed what was important to the individual who said it. It showed their priorities. They were not willing to put Jesus above all else. HIS response gave a clear message of what position HE needs to be in, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead. I wonder if you caught the transition there, let the “dead” bury “their” dead.
Application:
I know this is a hard teaching and a lot of people won’t agree with me, but as we have heard it said, “I’m just reading from the book. It’s not my opinion. It’s GOD”S word. There is a cost to discipleship, and it’s not about our comfort. Do you really want to follow HIM? If so, you may have to do some things that make you uncomfortable. Some things won’t make sense to you at the time. What position does Jesus hold in your life? What are you not willing to let go of to follow HIM becomes the one thing that is elevated into HIS rightful position. What is that thing in your life? The one thing that, if it went away, would shake the foundation of your faith. What I am saying is Jesus has to be our number one priority. We have to set everything aside for HIM. It’s easy to have an emotionally driven response to what’s going on around us, or what we have seen HIM do, and jump in. But truly following Jesus will cost you something. You may have to let go of your comfortable life, or even family members. This principle was taught to me in a real eye-opening manner. I was in Teen Challenge. This is a discipleship program. I had done something that I should not have done and there was discipline that was coming as a result. My actions had caused me to forfeit going home for my daughter’s birthday. The visit was already set up. But I had stolen something and gotten caught, one week before I was supposed to go home for 3 days. GOD used this situation to show me so many things. First, that I was a thief, second, that I put that thong above my daughter, third, my daughter was more important than Jesus. I know this is going to be an unpopular stance, but it’s the truth. Jesus has to have the very first position in your life. HE has to have the throne of your heart. Above your family, and above your comfort. Above everything. To finish the story. That day the cost of discipleship was greater than I was willing to pay, and I left the program. But GOD did not give up on me. HE continued to chase me and used that situation to show me a lot about myself and the position HE had in my life. That day was part of the catalyst for the life change I have experienced since then. My daughter knows that I have to pursue Jesus with everything that is in me. She is 15 now, and she knows her daddy loves her, and that she is extremely important. But Jesus has the throne of my heart. I don’t steal anymore and work hard so that I have something to give. Just like the scripture says. My life has changed as a result of the scales falling from them. Following Jesus has cost me a lot, but the return is well worth it. I have people that I love that I have had to let go, and I can’t just do what I want to anymore. HE is my LORD first and my SAVIOR second. Be doers of the word not hearers only.
Prayer:
Father, we want to thank you for the way you never give up on us. We know that you will chase us to the ends of the earth to get our attention. The way you catch our attention is so amazing. Showing us who we are without you. You always reveal the matters of the heart. Showing us who we are without you and molding us through that. Chastening those whom you love. Thank you for making us true disciples. Men and women who are willing to lay it all down to follow you. We want you on the throne of our hearts. We do not want anything elevated above that. We know what you paid for us, and it’s a debt we can never repay. Help us to desire you more than anything else. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.