Seder 94: Luke 9:57-63---Setting Priorities

 In chapters 9-19 of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, where he will face his crucifixion.  On the journey, he prepares his disciples for what lies ahead.  

Jesus lets his disciples know that following him will mean facing rejection.  "Foxes have holes, and bird of the air have nests," he tells a potential disciple, "but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" (9:58).  

Disciples will also have to make God's Kingdom their highest priority.  One potential disciples responds to Jesus' invitation by saying, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father" (v. 59).  Jesus responds, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead.  But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God" (v. 60).

Different explanations have been offered for what Jesus means by the saying, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead."  Perhaps Jesus is saying, "Leave the spiritually dead to bury the dead."  Another explanation is based on first-century burial practices in Jerusalem.  If a family had a family tomb, they placed the body there.  A year later they gathered up the bones and placed them in a stone ossuary.  In this context Jesus may be saying that the other bodies in the family tomb should take care of these details.  

In any case this is one of Jesus' "hard sayings," because taking care of a parent's burial was an important part of honoring a parent.  Jesus is saying that one's commitment to God is even more important than that commitment to parents. 

The following exchange is similar to this one.  Another potential disciple says, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home" (v 62).  Jesus answers, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (v 63).  

This answer reminds us of an incident from the lives of the prophets Elijah and Elisha (1 Ki 19:19-21).  When Elijah picks Elisha to succeed him, Elisha is doing some plowing.  Elisha asks Elijah for permission to first wrap up some details, including saying farewell to his parents.  Elijah agrees, and Elisha quickly settles his affairs.  Here Elisha is not trying to delay; he is clearly committed to accepting his calling.  Disciples of Jesus can look to his example and imitate his commitment.  Jesus is not telling us to neglect our families, but to have our priorities in order.