18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:18-22, NRSV)
In order to study the scriptures in some depth, I like to ask questions of the details: seeking the setting (place, time, circumstances, people present, etc.), the overal context (how this passages fits with those around it), and the theme of the greater pericope (a $25.00 seminary word I don't get to use very often! It simply means a section of scripture (not necessarily a chapter or paragraph, just a block of text.) So we will start there.Jesus is very busy after coming down the mountain after his sermon (on the mount-Matt. 5-7). He is dealing with real people now (which is why I am doing a series called Life Stories.) in the circumstances of their lives. He is in some way bombarded by people's problems, all with great stories and real needs. In the 17 verses of this chapter he goes from one healing to another and now "he sees the crowds gathered around him" and he plans to get away.
Why is it necessary for Jesus to get away? Isn't there more people awaiting to see him? more healing that needs done? more ministry to accomplish?
The answer is a big, Yes! But the truth is there are people on the other side of the lake who need him, too. And he just may need some time off to recharge his own batteries. (don't we all!)
What do you think is the reason Jesus is taking off for the other side?
Jesus also deals with two comments about his ministry, one who is ready to follow and another who wants to follow at a later time. To the Scribe (a Rabbi/Teacher who has studied as a disciple under another Rabbi/Teacher and now has become an expert in the Laws of Moses and most likely has students/disciples of his own.) Jesus compares his own lifestyle with that of the scribe and highlighting the vast differences in their world-views. The Scribe would have great social standing (and considerable income) so would be challenged by Jesus' words, no place to lay my head. The other disciple (not one of the 12, but another follower of Jesus, of which there were many!) was seeking an excuse, albeit one that considers the Law of Moses very carefully. His pledge to bury his father was a pledge to the Law that stated very specifically how to honor father and mother. Jesus challenge was a priority reordering, putting God first, even before parents. (that is the way it is listed in the Decalogue (another $25 word for the Ten Commandments)).
What do you think Jesus was saying to these two men?
What is his message considering the greater context?
Jesus' ministry is itinerant, meaning he moves from place to place, people group to people group. It is also an important ministry and should have the highest priority. Jesus is challenging us to see where our priorities lie and just how different we are called to be than this world in which we live. He is challenging our lifestyle like the Scribe, and our excuses like the disciple. This begs the question (at least for me), What priorities have I placed before Christ and how might my lifestyle conflict with Jesus'?
Maybe it's time to get in the boat,
get away for a time
and see what God is really saying to our hearts!
I look forward to hearing from you!
