A Reflection on Matthew 8:18-22
When Jesus tells the eager scribe that "foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head," He's not trying to discourage us - He's being refreshingly honest about what authentic discipleship looks like. Following Jesus isn't a spiritual upgrade to our existing comfort zones; it's an adventure that requires us to pack light and trust deeply. The Lord doesn't promise us earthly security or material prosperity, but He offers something far more valuable: a life of purpose, meaning, and eternal significance. He's essentially saying, "Are you ready for the journey of a lifetime, even if it means leaving your favorite recliner behind?"
The second encounter reveals an even deeper truth about priorities. When the would-be follower asks to bury his father first, Jesus responds with what seems like shocking bluntness: "Let the dead bury their dead." This isn't callousness - it's clarity about the urgency of the Gospel mission. In Jewish culture, this phrase likely referred to waiting for the father's natural death and completing all family obligations, which could take years. Jesus isn't dismissing family love or duty, but rather calling us to recognize that some moments in life demand immediate response. The Kingdom of God has its own timeline, and sometimes saying "yes" to Jesus means saying "not yet" to other good things.
What makes this passage so beautifully challenging is how it reveals the cost-benefit analysis of discipleship. Yes, following Jesus might cost us comfort, predictability, and even some relationships. But what do we gain? We become part of the greatest story ever told, participants in God's plan to heal and save the world. We trade earthly security for heavenly citizenship, temporary pleasures for eternal joy, and self-centered living for love-centered purpose. The "cost" begins to look less like a burden and more like the price of admission to the most extraordinary life possible.
The invitation remains open today, just as radical and just as rewarding. Jesus doesn't need our perfection - He needs our availability. He's not looking for people who have it all figured out, but for those willing to figure it out alongside Him. Every day presents fresh opportunities to choose discipleship over comfort, service over self-interest, and faith over fear. The question isn't whether we're worthy to follow Jesus (we're not), but whether we're willing to let Him make us worthy through the journey itself. After all, the best adventures begin not when we have everything we need, but when we have Someone we can trust to provide everything we need along the way.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
