Luke 9:59-62 (ESV)
59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let
me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to
bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61
Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to
those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow
and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
John Hart is one of the 56 men who signed the United
States’ Declaration of Independence. There were many who tried to stop him from
signing this historic document. At one point, John had to make a choice between
supporting his patriotic beliefs or being by the side of his dying wife and
their 13 children. He forsook his family and put his signature on the document.
While his love for his nation is an admirable thing, it’s
doubtful that everyone would forsake their family the way he did.
Yet, if we ever have to make a choice between following our
family or following Jesus, Jesus clearly expects that we will follow him. In
Jesus’ eyes, not even saying goodbye to a father was sufficient cause to delay
in following Jesus.
Why? Because he knows that our families cannot save us from
hell. Our families cannot pay our debt to God. Our parents cannot earn
forgiveness for our sins.
But Jesus did. Jesus, in fact, is the one who keeps our
families together even beyond death. His sacrificial death assures us that,
though death on earth might temporarily separate us, we will be reunited with
our fellow believers in heaven where we will be together forever.
Use your time with family and friends to celebrate this
great gift given to us by Jesus. Gather around his Word and encourage one
another with his promises so that heartfelt devotion to the Jesus who saves
might be the one thing your entire family has in common.
Dear Lord, You loved us with Your whole heart. Help us to
each day offer our entire life in heartfelt devotion to You. In the Name of
Jesus, Amen.
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