Jesus, during his relatively short time in ministry, met some really interesting characters. In Matthew 8, we’re told about two people that hoped to become disciples of the latest sensation in town- Jesus. The first was a scribe who folded when Jesus presented him with some harsh truths about discipleship.
The second person was someone who the Bible actually called a “disciple”. So this second person was already one leg into becoming a certified disciple. We’re never given any other detail about this person, other than that he was a disciple, and that he was only interested in becoming a fully committed disciple if Jesus granted one wish of his.
Then another of his disciples said unto him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
(Matthew 8:21, NKJV)
In all honesty, this sounded like a really good reason to defer further discipleship. So taken at face value, Jesus’ response to this request may have seemed kind of extra, maybe even harsh.
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
(Matthew 8:22, KJV)
A better understanding of the cultural undercurrents in that exchange would perhaps make you understand better, why Jesus responded the way He did. From around 20BC till 70AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by General Titus, reburial of bones was one of the customs of the people of Jerusalem.
A year after a person died, the bones would be taken, and placed in a box (called an ossuary). This box would then be set in a tomb. It was seen by society as dishonorable and culturally inappropriate if a son didn’t do this for his father.
So this disciple wasn’t asking for a few days off to mourn his father. He was really asking Jesus to be on hold for him for months (or even a year) while he waited around for his father’s bones to come good.
But Jesus saw through this apparently good excuse, hence His response. This potential disciple may have really wanted to follow Jesus, but he was much too concerned about what society would think of him if he didn’t rebury his father. Hence Jesus injunction to follow Him and let the (spiritually) dead bury their dead.
Judging by the fact that we never hear about this man again, it is likely that he chose to wait for his father’s bones. But the message of Jesus to him is the same to us today: “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead”.
Is God calling you into something or out of something? Listen to Him. Don’t let societal pressure stop you from obeying the voice of God. Leave carnal things for the carnally minded, and make a decision to follow God wherever He leads you.
In Plain Sight 
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