THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

March 5

Text: Matthew 8:21, 22

 And another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father."  But Jesus *said to him, "Follow Me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead." (NASB)

Some things have to be done NOW.  The situation demands a sense of urgency.  The opportunity that exists NOW will not exist later.  The task to be done NOW only will exist in the NOW circumstances.  In such cases, there is something truly unique about the situation that makes the NOW window of opportunity genuinely different. 

Most of us are familiar with NOW opportunities or tasks that require an immediate response or they forever disappear.  (Much advertising says that their information tells us of such “now moments.”)  All of us have said, “I wish I had seen and acted then.  I regret I did not realize how unique the moment was.”

Jesus’ earthly ministry was truly a “now moment.”  Increase your awareness of failures to see spiritually significant “now moments” by reflecting on this.  Guess how many thousands directly benefited from Jesus’ teachings and miracles in the Jerusalem area.  In Acts 1:15 there were “about 120” gathered at this Jerusalem meeting after Jesus died, but before they understood what it meant for the resurrected Jesus to be Savior.

This disciple (he was already a believing follower) wanted to go to his father’s burial prior to following Jesus further.  Sounds reasonable.  Given the haste for burials (there was no embalming and decay occurred quickly) it was remarkable the disciple was there at all.

Jesus understood his ministry’s urgency.  Many did not understand, but this disciple understood at least to a degree.  Jesus said in this situation allow those without understanding to care for his father’s body.  The urgency of the NOW demanded he be a disciple—he needed to follow Jesus immediately.

Do we recognize and respond to the urgency of “now moments” as we follow Jesus?

Suggestion for reflection: Consider how you recognize NOW spiritual moments.  (Read Mark 10:23-30.)

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 Copyright 2011 David Chadwell