One day a disciple came to Jesus and said, “Master, I would like to become one of your dedicated disciples, but my father is dying; may I go home to bury him?” Jesus replied something like this: If you want to be a messenger, you must leave the burying of the dead to others, and go yourself, proclaiming the good news.”
Jesus’ answer is shocking only at first glance. In the modern world, there are professions that require total dedication and a willingness to leave one’s family if necessary: military, sailors, and so on. People choose such professions voluntarily. Jesus had an inner circle of disciples – that is, the apostles, who were completely dedicated to the ministry of preaching. There was also an outer circle of disciples who did not follow Jesus all the time, lived in their own homes and did ordinary household chores: like us now.
One of these disciples approached Jesus, willing to volunteer to become a fully ordained minister. Jesus, as we know, had lived a semi-wandering life for three years, and he demanded the same from the 12 apostles. Jesus’ answer implied that if a disciple wanted to become a messenger and teacher, he had to put Jesus’ teaching and his calling above his love for his father, mother, or even his children. In other words, sacrifice what was dear to his heart for something greater. If a person could not pay such a price, then he had to remain an ordinary disciple, continue to believe in Jesus, and take care of his parents, family, and children. We do not know whether this man, whose father was dying, decided to become one of the messengers of the Gospel. However, Jesus’ answer certainly helped him make his choice.
A similar situation arose with another candidate for the messenger of the Good News:
Another man said to him, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus answered, “No man who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
It is good when a man’s family is his highest value. And this man seemed to love his family more than his calling as an evangelist – he just didn’t fully realize it. Jesus, in his answer, immediately pointed out that the heart should not be torn in two halves, and that ministry will not be fruitful if thoughts of something else are present in the mind. The oath of allegiance of Jesus’ apostles could be compared to the oath of a soldier to defend his country even at the cost of his life, and to put his duty to God before his family or property.
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