Let the dead bury their dead / Do it now

What did Jesus mean

Do it now. No excuses.

Where did Jesus say this

Luke 9:60 — “Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’”

What Jesus did not mean

Ignore your family. Stop loving others. Leave your loved ones to die on their own.

Jesus was something of a wordsmith (and he enjoys confusing people — even now). When he said “let the dead bury the dead,” he’s talking about two different types of people: spiritually dead and physically dead.

In the context of this specific verse, Jesus is addressing someone who wants to go say goodbye to his dying father. He wants to do this before he finishes his pre-existing obligations with the “kingdom of God.”

Is the man’s father actually dying? Maybe — but it could be months or even years down the road. The point is — Jesus knew it was just an excuse. It was an excuse to postpone his obligations and further delay his journey. It’s the classic, “but first, let me…”

Jesus told the man that the dead (spiritually dead, non-followers, those who are not connected to the vine) can handle the dead (the actual people who are dying). In other words, other people could step in and handle his obligations at home on his behalf.

Where to start

This is actually one of the simplest verses to attach to the modern era — which seems funky when you’re talking about spiritually dead burying physically dead people.

But here’s why: Any person can use an excuse for anything.

I’ll pick up that trash later.

I’ll do that laundry later.

I’ll build that business later.

I’ll have that conversation later.

I’ll say sorry to that person later.

I’ll start praying later.

But later almost never comes. That was Jesus’s point.

And if later never comes, then you’ll be drowning in a million things that needed to be done, but were never done.

So how do you stop? You just stop. That’s it.

Do it. Now. No excuses.

Benefits

You’ll finally start living.