March 12: "Let the Dead Bury Their Own Dead" - Following Christ Without Delay

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"Let the dead bury their own dead."

-Matthew 8:22

🌟 Hey FaithLabz Family, Let’s Dive In!

Today’s date? March 12th, 2025—and we’re tackling one of Jesus’ toughest, most mind-blowing statements: "Let the dead bury their own dead." This gem from Matthew 8:22 isn’t just provocative—it’s a total game-changer for how we live out discipleship. So grab your Bible, your journal, and let’s cannonball right into this! 💦

🤔 Why Do We Delay?

Have you ever noticed how we’re masters at putting things off? We say stuff like:
🗣️ "I’ll follow Jesus completely… after this season of life."
🗣️ "After the kids are grown."
🗣️ "After I get that promotion."
🗣️ "After I fix this relationship."

Jesus ran into a guy with the same vibe. Check this out from Matthew 8:21-22:
📖 "Another disciple said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus told him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’"

At first, it sounds harsh—like, whoa, Jesus, really? But He’s not throwing shade at family duties. He’s shining a spotlight on something huge about discipleship and the empty stuff we often put ahead of Him.

💔 The Truth About Human Love

Let me get real with you for a sec. Throughout my life, I’ve seen a tough pattern: human love doesn’t always last. People who swore they’d stick around forever? They switch it up for all kinds of reasons.
💔 A spouse finds someone new.
💔 Friends who shared everything fade into “hey, how’s it going” texts.
💔 Even family love—strong as it can be—gets stretched thin by time, distance, or just life’s chaos.

I’ll never forget sitting alone after a breakup, staring at a phone full of old messages that used to light up my day but were now just… silent. It hit me hard: What am I building my life on?

This isn’t me being negative—it’s just real talk. Human relationships? Beautiful. Necessary. But they were never meant to carry the full weight of our hope and security. When we try to make them our everything, it’s like building a house on shifting sand. 🏖️

🔍 What’s Jesus Really Saying?

So what’s the deal with "Let the dead bury their own dead"? Scholars say the guy’s dad probably wasn’t even dead yet. In that culture, “let me go bury my father” was code for “let me wait ‘til Dad passes and I wrap up my family stuff.” Basically, he’s asking for a rain check—an indefinite delay.

Jesus sees right through it. He’s like:
➡️ "Let those who are spiritually dead handle the physically dead. You’ve met life—follow it NOW."

This isn’t about Jesus being impatient. It’s about Him knowing something we forget: real life—the kind that matters—is standing right in front of us in Him. Meanwhile, we’re distracted by stuff that can’t hold us up.

⏳ The Hidden Cost of Waiting

Every day we hit “snooze” on fully following Christ comes with a price we don’t often add up. Think about the disciples who dropped their nets on the spot. What if Peter had said, “After fishing season, Lord”? Or Matthew was like, “Once I’ve saved enough from tax collecting”?

Luke 9:62 doubles down on this:
📖 "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
It’s not about ditching responsibilities—it’s about where our eyes are locked and what our hearts are chasing.

Delay loves to dress up as wisdom. We say:
🗣️ "I’m just being responsible!"
But under that? It’s often fear, comfort, or priorities out of whack.

❤️ The Love That Never Quits

Here’s the beautiful twist: when we let go of temporary things, we grab hold of the one relationship that won’t ever let us down. Human love comes and goes, but Christ’s love? It’s rock solid.
💡 When everyone walks away, He stays put.
💡 When relationships cool off, His love keeps burning.
💡 When others find someone “better,” He stays faithful—He already proved it on the cross.

Hebrews 13:5 seals the deal:
📖 "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
This isn’t just a cozy thought—it’s the foundation that sets us free to follow Him right now, no fear of being left behind.

I’ve lived this. When I stopped chasing “perfect” human relationships and put Christ first, I found a love that changed how I see everything else. I love people deeply but hold them loosely, knowing they’re not my ultimate anchor.

🛠️ How Do We Follow Without Delay?

So how do we actually do this? Here’s what I’ve learned:

1️⃣ Take Inventory
What “dead things” are you tending instead of chasing the living Christ? A relationship God’s not in? A job that’s pulling you off course? A comfy routine that keeps God at a distance?

2️⃣ Act Now
Jesus didn’t say “think about following me later.” He said “Follow me”—present tense, no waiting. What’s one step of obedience you’ve been putting off?

3️⃣ Find Your Crew
The spiritually alive need each other. Who’s in your corner, pushing you toward Jesus? If you don’t have that, make finding it your next move.

4️⃣ Surrender Daily
Following Jesus isn’t a one-and-done—it’s a choice every moment to let dead things stay dead and grab the life He’s offering.

🎁 The Payoff Is Worth It

Here’s the kicker: following Jesus right away doesn’t leave you empty—it fills you up. Matthew 19:29 lays it out:
📖 "Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."

This isn’t about getting rich—it’s about trading small stuff for something massive. The disciples who ditched everything weren’t reckless—they saw a love that doesn’t expire, and they ran toward it.

🙌 Your Move, Family!

Right now—today—what’s your “but first” that’s holding you back from full surrender? What dead thing is God asking you to drop?

Here’s my challenge:
✅ Pick one area of delay in your discipleship.
✅ Write it down.
✅ Tell a trusted friend.
✅ Act on it before the sun sets today.

If this hit home, drop a comment below! What “dead thing” is God nudging you to let go of? Or tell me how you’ve seen God’s love show up when human love falls short.

And if you know someone wrestling with putting Jesus first, share this with them! A simple share can spark a life-changing moment—let’s spread this truth together.

🔥 Keep Following, No Waiting!

Brothers and Sisters, the call to follow Jesus doesn’t wait for “perfect timing.” The perfect time is now—because His love never fades. Until next time, keep chasing Him without delay! ✝️

An Invitation to go Deeper….

If today’s message spoke to you, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and strengthen your connection with God’s unshakable love. You are never alone—let’s grow together!

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