For Friday June 10, 2022:
LUKE 9:60
Luke 9:60 (NKJV)
“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
Many are of the opinion that Jesus was harsh in His dealings with these three men. The one wanted to go home first and bury his father. The other would first have bidden his parents good-bye.
But Jesus did not accede to this. He uttered only this brief and hard saying: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead!”
Was Jesus harsh?
Yes, love is harsh, irrevocably harsh when the loved one is in mortal danger and is not willing to recognize it.
Jesus saw the danger which confronted these men. He saw how near to the kingdom of God they were. But He also saw their good-natured weakness, their persistent flight from decisive action.
In love and mercy He sought now to help them out of this. He demanded an immediate decision. They had their liberty and might decide as they chose. But He insisted that they decide. They were always wanting to do something else first. “No,” says Jesus, “now or never!”
There are many people today to whom Jesus would say exactly the same thing if they would only listen to Him. They remain in a spiritually awakened state year after year, always restless and often much affected. At times they almost do violence to themselves in order not to cast themselves down at the feet of Jesus and have their restless souls saved. Still they never really become converted!
My unhappy friend! Tell me, what is it that binds you? Is it some certain sin?
Then do tell Jesus the truth. He sets the sin-bound free.
“He who alone can cheer you
Is standing at the door;
He brings His pity near you,
And bids you weep no more.”
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 