Question about Matthew 8:19-22
One aspect of this is Yeshua had an itinerate lifestyle, traveling and
"living out of a suitcase" if you will. If you were going to follow him
you may not have the cozy lifestyle of others. You will have to give up
many things that the world looks at as the goal of life, like a home,
family etc. But, another aspect to this is that the Kingdom of God was
being offered right there and then. Don't put physical things and cares
above the spiritual concerns of the Kingdom. There is a third aspect.
Where it says "allow the dead to bury", the word for dead in Hebrew is
"metta." But, the Hebrew word for "town" is "matta" and looks the same
in Hebrew, having the same letters but different vowels sounds. It is
possible that this is a confused word by the scribes translating this
and it should be "allow the town to bury the dead" which makes better
sense and that was the custom of the time. A fourth aspect is the High
Priests in the Temple were not allowed to bury their own family (Lev
21.11). What this man was saying to Yeshua was "I want to follow you,
but let me wait till my father dies." So, in summary here is what is
going on. The Kingdom of G-d is being offered, there is no time to be
concerned about physical things or family. You need to respond when you
have the chance. The things you are concerned about will take care of
themselves if you follow the L-rd and now is the time for salvation and
service. Don't put it off. Seek first the Kingdom, and all your physical
concerns will be taken care of.
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