“But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.”– Luke 9:59 (KJV)
“He said to another person, ‘Come, follow me.’ The man agreed, but he said, ‘Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.’– Luke 9:59 (NLT)
“He said to another, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’– Luke 9:59 (MSG)
What Does Luke 9:59 Mean?
Luke 9:59 depicts an important moment in the life of Jesus and His interaction with those who were called to follow Him. When Jesus approached someone to join Him, this individual expressed a desire to bury his father first. This verse illustrates the conflict between earthly obligations and spiritual commitments. It challenges us to think about our priorities and the call to follow Jesus.
On the surface, the request to bury a father seems reasonable and compassionate. After all, it reflects a respect for familial duty. Yet, Jesus’s response indicates a deeper lesson. He is emphasizing that the call to follow Him may require us to place our commitments to Him above all others. We must ask ourselves, how do we respond to God’s calling in our own lives? Are there times when we let worldly concerns overshadow our commitment to our faith?
Luke 9:59 Explanation and Commentary
This verse is situated within a larger narrative where Jesus is teaching His followers about the cost of discipleship. When we read the surrounding passages, it becomes clear that following Jesus demands an all-consuming dedication. The request made by the man speaks of a common struggle we all face: balancing our responsibilities and desires with the call of God in our lives.
Jesus did not reject the man’s desire to care for his father. Instead, He was illustrating the urgency of His mission. While caring for family is vital, Jesus was asking this person to recognize that the spiritual journey requires us to make bold choices. We can reflect on Matthew 10:37, where it says, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” This shows that our love for God must come first.
We are often halted by our fears or our sense of duty when God calls us to take action. It is easy to think, “I will follow Jesus once this obligation is fulfilled.” However, God wants our hearts fully dedicated to Him. This verse asks us to reconsider our priorities.
This commentary reminds us that while life’s responsibilities are significant, they should never come before our commitment to God. We have the ability to surrender our worries and obligations to Him while still fulfilling our duties. This is a call to spiritual maturity. It’s about learning to hold our responsibilities loosely, trusting that God will guide us as we prioritize our walk with Him.
In our daily lives, we can witness this challenge. How many times have we let the busyness of life distract us from our spiritual practices? How often do we postpone prayer or reading the Bible because we have other things to do? The lesson here is that we should be willing to make sacrifices for our relationship with God, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Context of Luke 9:59
The context in which Luke 9:59 occurs is crucial for understanding its significance. Leading up to this moment, Jesus had begun His journey towards Jerusalem, where He would ultimately face the crucifixion. His message had become more urgent, and He was preparing His followers for the trials ahead. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and Jesus wanted those around Him to recognize the gravity of their call to discipleship.
Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus called many to follow Him, and with each call came a sense of urgency and a challenge. The disciples, as well as other would-be followers, were encouraged to leave their old lives behind. Whether it was the fishermen leaving their nets or Matthew leaving his tax booth, they faced the decision to prioritize their call to follow Jesus.
Understanding this context deepens our appreciation of the weight of the man’s request. The culture at that time placed a strong emphasis on family and honoring one’s parents. The desire to fulfill familial obligations holds immense significance. So, when we see Jesus’s response, it demonstrates the depth of His call to every person while also making it clear that following Him requires total devotion.
Jesus was not dismissing the man’s need to care for his father; instead, He wanted him to grasp the immediacy of His kingdom. There’s a time to bury the dead, but there’s also a time to act on God’s call. For us, this means we must discern between our earthly responsibilities and heavenly assignments.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Luke 9:59
The key parts of Luke 9:59 stand out in presenting the dilemma faced by the individual. The phrase “Suffer me first” reveals a common human inclination – we often want to prioritize our plans and commitments before we commit to following God’s directions. It’s a reflection of our need to feel secure in our earthly duties.
When the individual requested to bury his father, it symbolized a strong, natural obligation. Burying a loved one is often seen as the last act of love we can provide. However, Jesus’s challenging response signifies that the spiritual call to follow Him surpasses all earthly ties. This part of the verse illustrates how our personal desires can conflict with our divine calling.
Furthermore, the use of the word “follow” is critical. Jesus calls us to follow Him, not just to consider Him or to be a fan. Discipleship involves actively engaging in a relationship and making choices that align with Jesus’s teachings. Our faith can sometimes be diluted by our attachment to secular priorities. Jesus wanted this individual to step into the deep waters of faith and trust Him fully.
As we analyze this, we might notice that the request also exposes a common hesitation among believers. The hesitation to leave behind the familiar for the unknown that comes with following Christ. This part of the verse serves as a reminder to us that God’s call often requires bravery and faith to leave our comfort zones.
It is not wrong to have obligations but prioritizing the kingdom of God over our daily concerns is where we find real freedom. In Matthew 6:33, we are instructed to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring us that everything else will fall into place. Let’s embrace these words as a reminder that our obedience to God should take priority over our worldly concerns.
Lessons to Learn From Luke 9:59
Luke 9:59 brings forth a multitude of lessons, encouraging reflection on what it really means to follow Jesus. The first lesson teaches us about the immediacy of God’s call. It reminds us that when He speaks to us, we should respond without delay. Delaying our response can lead to lost opportunities for spiritual growth and fulfillment. God might be asking us to serve, to love, or to give, but sometimes we hesitate because of our fears or obligations. This verse urges us to prioritize God above all else.
Another lesson is a reminder of what it means to truly follow. It involves sacrifice and commitment. It isn’t just about joining a church or participating in activities. Instead, it’s about giving our hearts fully to Christ. When we follow Jesus, it means that we become part of His mission. It may require us to step out of our comfort zones and put others before ourselves. We can take inspiration from the lives of the apostles, who left everything to follow Him.
We also learn about the tension between earthly duties and spiritual commitments. It often feels like there’s a pull between what our hearts want to do versus what we feel obligated to do. This tension is real, but Jesus’s message here reveals that our relationship with Him should take precedence. We can seek to balance our responsibilities while still living as Christ’s ambassadors. This is where we build our faith in action.
The call to “bury the dead” can serve also as a metaphor for shedding the old ways while embracing the new life in Christ. In Galatians 2:20, it explains, “I have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” This reminds us that we must become alive in Christ, making space for Him to work in us, so we can truly follow.
Lastly, Luke 9:59 is a prompting for us to evaluate our priorities regularly. Are we allowing distractions to keep us from following God fully? This moment encourages honest reflection about our commitments and where our energy is directed. We should ask ourselves, “What is hindering us from fully following Jesus?” In doing so, we grow closer to God and discover the beauty of living life with Him at the center.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Luke 9:59 serves as a powerful reminder of what it costs to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. It challenges us to set our priorities right, ensuring that our relationship with God takes precedence over everything else. Jesus desires our full attention and devotion. The urgency in His call is relevant today. Just as He did with those who walked beside Him, He calls us to follow Him in our current lives.
Let us take the lessons from this verse and apply them in tangible ways. We can find ways to prioritize our commitment to God in everyday life, whether it’s through prayer, service, or simply being present with Him. We can open our ears and hearts to the call from the Lord, trusting that He will enable us to navigate our responsibilities while still placing Him first.
As we reflect on our lives, let’s consider how the message in Luke 9:59 can transform our hearts. It speaks to the continual call we have to move forward in faith, making sacrifices for our spiritual growth and embracing the journey with courage. We are invited to take steps closer to Jesus because He promises fulfillment to those who fully embrace Him.
If you would like to explore more topics related to your faith and the Bible, consider reading Matthew 11 or discovering stories from Genesis. These resources can enrich our understanding and provide further guidance on our spiritual paths. Each story in the Bible contributes to our growth and understanding of God’s kingdom.