Jesus is Unwilling

INTRODUCTION:

There’s no such thing as an unstoppable force that can move an immoveable object. For that happen, something would have to change.

The force would become stoppable or the object would be moved. In a logical world, there are certain things that do not coexist.

It’s the Law of Non-Contradiction, an undefeated rule. A thing cannot be and “not be” at the same time. There are no circled squares or happily married bachelors. Two plus two will equal four and never equal five.

For something to be true and real at the same time, that truth and our reality must somehow “correspond.”

Other people think of truth a totally different way. It’s defined by what works best or popular opinion.

The Pragmatic View measures truth by how it works.

The Consensus View measures truth by social agreement.

The Coherence View measures truth by what makes sense.

The Constructivist View measures truth by what gets said.

The Classic View, held by Plato and other thinkers, is often called the “correspondence theory of truth.”

Truth conforms or corresponds to the way things actually are.

You can think whatever you want but reality pushes back. If you live by lies, the truth will punch your face.

Not only does this view of truth shape the way we think. It’s the view of truth given to us in Scripture.

Our “reality,” in Scripture, has an ultimate source. God is the creator and sustainer of all that IS.

So when reality pushes back, it’s not some “mental concept” but a creator God getting your attention. God’s truth has been revealed but has it been accepted?

Power and Authority

The relationship between reality and truth is like that of power and authority.

The authority of a person depends on where they sit.

Power is the ability to do what you want. Authority is the right to do as you please.

You can have great power and not have great authority. If that’s the case, your actions can have a cost.

You may be able to do 100mph down the highway. But doing so will get you a ticket. You don’t have the authority to go that fast. It belongs to the person who owns the road. If they sit above you in the social pecking order, then they have the right to punish your transgressions.

It doesn’t matter what you say, your reasons or excuses. It doesn’t matter how capable or careful you were. It’s not question of character or personal reputation. 

You may have had the power, but you didn’t have the right. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The transgression of authority brings a consequence. 

Jesus The Messiah

All of this brings us to our passage today. Not only did Jesus have wonder-working power. He also acted with heavenly authority.

The authority of Jesus is big theme in Matthew. It’s all wrapped up in his title of“Messiah.”

Some people hear “Christ” and think it’s Jesus’ last name. It’s understandable but incorrect. The Word “Christ” is a Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” It means the “anointed or royal king.”

From the book of Genesis onward, this King was promised by God. You see it through Israel’s history of prophets, priests and kings. Before and after Jesus, people claimed to be Messiah. But Jesus was unique in how he proved it to be true.

The goal of Matthew’s Gospel is to prove that to his readers. He’s made the case from the very beginning. (Matthew 1:1)

God the Father testifies at the baptism of Jesus. The Holy Spirit fell and descended like a dove. A voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (Mat 3:17)

From that moment forward, Jesus acted with authority. He proved it in the wilderness over Satan and temptation (Mat 4:1-11).

He proved through his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7). People were AMAZED because he spoke with great authority. (Matthew 7:28-29).

Matthew 5-7 show the authority of Jesus’ Words. Matthew 8-9 show the authority of his works. Miracle after miracle, Jesus demonstrates not only heaven’s power but also it’s authority.

Set The Table

The problem was, Jesus’ ministry didn’t fit their box. His preaching and his ministry offended their traditions.

With the leper he cleansed him with a touch. (Mat 8:1-4)

With the centurion, he healed his servant with a Word. (Matthew 8:5-13)

In a single night Jesus healed all sickness and disease for every suffering person in the city of Capernaum. (Matthew 8:14-17)

The crowds were getting larger. The people were talking. “Could this be the Christ? He doesn’t match what we expected?”

The crowds could not deny that Jesus acted with authority. What made them so uncomfortable were the personal implications. “What man is this that the wind and waves obey him?” (Mat 8:27)

Jesus was willing to do what others wouldn’t.

Jesus was able to do what others couldn’t.

If Jesus had authority over sickness and disease, what did that authority entail for people’s hearts? That’s the question behind our passage today.

Jesus has been given all authority. The question does he have your heart?

Jesus is unwilling to sit in second place.

Read the Text

With that in mind, let’s pick up our passage in Matthew 8:18.

Matthew 8:18–23 CSB

18 When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea. 19 A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21 “Lord,” another of his disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” 23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

If you’re new to the Gospel of Matthew, the context is important. Jesus had just preached a banger sermon and was healing people left and right.

When Matthew says “a crowd” had formed he adds the adjective “large.” (NIV - multitudes)

The Greek word (pollous) means many, much or great. The idea is that this crowd was much larger than before.

“Crowd” is used about 55 times in Matthew Gospel. Up until this point, we’ve seen is used two ways.

In Matthew 4:25 “Large crowds followed Jesus from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan.”

In Matthew 5:1 “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.”

After his sermon in Matthew. 7:28 “The crowds were astonished at his teaching…” And in Mat 8:1, “When Jesus came down the mountain, large crowds followed him.” 

The point is that Jesus was incredibly popular. People had begun to follow him from every region in that area. They were drawn to his teaching. They were drawn to his miracles. They were drawn to his Spirit and the way in which he ministered.

Selfish Reasons

The same is true today. Some come to Jesus because of what he says. Other come because of what they seek.

Many follow Jesus for his human wisdom. His insight on the human condition is incredibly profound. His wisdom and moral ethic are unparalleled in human history.

I know “cultural” Christians who don’t really believe but they’ve seen the power of Jesus to change a life. They see cultural utility and social benefit of following Jesus. As a result, they’re drawn to seek him out.

The attraction is real because Jesus is unique. Not many people who lived as Jesus lived.

It’s for that very reason that Jesus “sees the large crowd” and chooses to give the order to “Go to the other side.”

Jesus often did this when a crowd would get too large. It’s a reminder for those who seek him what it means to truly follow.

Many come to Jesus for selfish reasons.

That selfish motive is never rebuked by Jesus. He had “compassion” for the crowds and healed many non-disciples.

But every time the crowd got large he would bring a test. He would draw a line to see who really loved him.

In this case, the command of Jesus was “go to the other side of the sea.” (Mat 8:18) True disciples would have to “Get into the boat and follow Jesus.” (8:23)

The “other side” of Lake Gennesaret was culturally gentile and thus “unclean.” The hostility between Jews and Gentiles created social separation. But the mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost.

Which meant those who chose to follow Jesus did so at a price. That’s the basic challenge of our passage today.

Each of these two men expressed a willingness to follow. But their commitment had particular conditions. Jesus is unwilling to accept that kind of faith.

Those who follow Jesus follow unconditionally.

TURN AND FOLLOW

Before we examine Matthew’s telling, let’s compare it with Luke’s account. (Luke 9:57-62)

Matthew makes important changes worthy of our attention.

First of all, Matthew places it earlier than Luke’s account. In Matthew, it’s framed by miracles. In Luke, it’s on the “road to Jerusalem.” 

Luke’s version has three men; Matthew narrows it to two. Luke adds a missional element about “proclaiming the Kingdom of God.”

In Luke, Jesus says, “Follow me” before the faith condition. Matthew places that same command “after” his faith condition.

Matthew tells it like he does for a certain purpose. These differences are given by inspiration of God. They’re not a contradiction but a shift in Matthew’s attention.

He strips the story down to only two exchanges. He frames the conversation around a singular command.

The passage opens (8:18) with Jesus giving an order. It ends with his disciples getting in the boat (8:23).

Everything works inward towards this Messianic claim that comes from Daniel 7 and describes God’s Royal King.

Jesus is the “Son of Man” and the Ancient of Days. He’s been given ALL authority and his Kingdom has no end.

Luke’s arrangement emphasizes the nature of discipleship. Everything in Matthew shouts “JESUS HAS AUTHORITY.”

Which means for Christ to save, you must turn and follow.

With the time that we have left I want to look at these two men. Each man symbolizes conditional allegiance.

Jesus is unwilling to sit in second place. Because he has all authority, our allegiance must be total.

The first man’s conditions show a faith that’s superficial. The second man demonstrates a faith that tries to stall.

Neither condition is acceptable to Jesus. True allegiance will be total, despite the sacrifice. True allegiance will be immediate, despite the social cost.

The Scribe

Let’s begin with scribe. He comes up to Jesus before he gets in the boat.

Matthew 8:19 CSB

19 A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

A scribe was a professional scholar of the Old Testament Law. They spent their life in the biblical text and were incredibly intelligent.

That he refers to Jesus as “teacher” demonstrates respect. This guy had spent his entire life studying and copying Scripture. He had it memorized and probably taught others himself.

He had credentials and yet refers to Jesus as rabbi. This was a title high honor, especially coming from a scribe. It was common for a scribe to choose their rabbi. That he chooses Jesus sets him apart from other scribes.

This suggests an openness and spiritual appetite. To this point in Matthew, other scribes conveyed the opposite. Respecting Jesus as a teacher wasn’t common among his peers.

He can’t help but be amazed by Jesus’ teaching. In that way, he provides our first key warning.

Don’t just come to Jesus because of what he says.

Superficial Faith

In addition to respect he shows eager interest. “I will follow you wherever you go!”

It’s what you would want to hear from a disciple. Yet his statement had not fully counted the cost.

Jesus reminds him what it means to follow. It’s not just what you learn. It’s also what you’ll lose.  

Jesus would make him wiser and teach him many thing. But Jesus would also confront and challenge every false belief.

Jesus wasn’t interested in a half-way committed scribe who treated every sermon like some build-a-bear theology. He would not abide a disciple who lived by lies.

This is how many people approach Jesus today. They use Jesus for sounding wise, but fail to bear the cost.

“Take a bit of what I like and nix the things I don’t… Turn up the volume where I agree, turn down where I don’t.”

Jesus is unwilling to sit in second place. He responds to the scribe with the cost for following.

Jesus told him, “Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)

Some people hear this phrase and think a “life of poverty.” The assumption is that Jesus was homeless and his followers end up poor.  Historically and culturally I don’t think that’s true.

Most carpenters were middle class and did better than farmers and ranchers. Moreover, Jesus often enjoyed generous hospitality (Matthew, Simon Peter, Mary and Martha’s house).

Essentially, Jesus says, “I’m more than just a Teacher. Those who follow me, will share in what I suffer. They move when I move and share in my rejection.”

You won’t follow Jesus with superficial faith.

This statement is less about poverty and more about life on “mission.” Jesus would move from town to town preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Going to the other side represented that missional effort. He would also be rejected and despised by those who listened.

Jesus had no credentials and was hated by the religious establishment. To join his movement as a scribe would also bring the same.

According to Jesus’ statement, this cost had not been weighed. Jesus was just a “teacher” but not yet fully Lord. If Jesus is just your teacher, you’re not yet following. In Matthew’s Gospel the word is only used by non-believers. (Mat 9:11; 12:38; 22:16)

Those who follow Jesus must give him true allegiance. Jesus must be more than just a teacher of God’s Word.  

It’s true that he’s a teacher. He says as much himself. (Mat 23:8; 26:18) But He is also Lord and possesses all authority.

Sacrificial Allegiance

A teacher gives you answers. A Lord can give you orders. A teacher can enhance your life. A Lord can interrupt it.

Don’t just come to Jesus because of what he says. Don’t just follow Jesus with superficial faith. Halfway allegience cannot save your soul.

Jesus does not rebuke the man. He doesn’t send the man away. But neither does he expect that that he’ll join him in the boat.

True allegiance will make the sacrifice.

Before you shake your head, we better look in the mirror. Many of us are guilty of the same. Build-a-bear theology is America’s favorite past time.

We pick our favorite seat, our favorite people, and our favorite truth and Bible passage. If you’re not careful, you’ll forget the price of following Jesus.

None of those things are sinful. Poverty is not “more holy.” The point is that our comfort not become a faith condition.

If a life of sacrifice takes obedience off the table then you were never following Jesus to begin with. You had superficial faith and Jesus will not tolerate it.

It’s easy to follow Jesus when you always agree. But how do you respond when he challenges your faith? What do you do when he calls you to repent? How do you respond when a sacrifice is needed?  

If you’re your going to tell Jesus, “I’ll follow you wherever you go.” Then you better be ready to get real comfortable with RISK.

The mission is not easy. There is danger and opposition. Jesus isn’t trying to hide it. He’s revealing it up front.

Matthew never tells us what the scribe decided. The story simply ends without an answer either way.

Some suggest that this scribe was never really sincere. His profession was a ruse to help him serve as a spy.

The text doesn’t say so I won’t venture to guess. The silence is the point because the question is for US. Have you only come to Jesus because of what he says? Is your faith superficial when it’s time to pay a price?

Jesus is unwilling to sit in second place. The only faith that saves is marked by true allegiance. True allegiance makes the sacrifice.

WHAT YOU SEEK

Immediately after the scribe, “another disciple” speaks. (Matthew 8:21-22)

“Lord,” another of his disciple said, “first let me go bury my father.” (Matthew 8:21)

That Matthew calls him “another disciple” suggests the scribe could also be. Later manuscripts replace “disciple” with “another man” out of embarrassment.

The point is, this man was no stranger to the Jesus movement. He was an insider, a church-goer, a person like you and me.  

He had seen the leper cleansed with nothing but a touch. He had seen Jesus speak a word and heal the Centurion’s servant. He had watched an entire city be healed in a single night.

We cannot know for sure, but that’s likely why he’s there. If Jesus could do those things for others, what might he do for me?  

This is the other reason that many people follow Jesus. It’s the warning that this second man presents us with today.

Don’t just come Jesus because of what you seek.

What’s interesting about this man is how he speaks to Jesus. Instead of calling him teacher, he speaks to him as “Lord.”

That’s the confessional word of Matthew chapter 8. It was spoken by the leper as well as the Centurion.

“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean…” (Mat 8:2).

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed…” (Mat 8:6).

Two verses from now, the disciples say it as storm waves rock their boat. “Lord, save us!” (Mat 8:25).

The problem wasn’t calling Jesus, “Lord.” It’s the word he speaks right after.” Lord… FIRST. “Lord… first let me go bury my father.”

The irony is that those two words always go together. Jesus is Lord because he’s FIRST which means nothing comes before him.

For someone to call Jesus Lord then show that he’s not first, can only be spoken by someone who doesn’t get it.

Stalling Faith

But before you point the finger, consider his request. In that word, your father’s burial was a high and sacred duty.

It was left to the eldest son and happened within the week. There was an official process and ceremony attaching.

It was so important that you were excused from other obligations (like citing the Shema or other spiritual commandments).

Some have suggested this man’s father wasn’t even dead. If he was, the week of mourning would’ve prevented the exchange. Some suggest his reasons were pursuit of financial gain. His father’s death would’ve triggered the giving of his inheritance.

Whether seven days or seven months/years, we can’t really know. Neither can we know his personal motivations. The effort to try and do so seems to soften Jesus’ response.

How Jesus responds to this basic request sounds radical and unrelenting. “But Jesus told him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” (Matthew 8:22)

For Jesus to make this statement would’ve been shocking to Matthew’s readers. Not a single other rabbi would’ve made a similar claim.

I wish I could’ve seen their faces or heard the mumbled whispers. No rabbi had the right to demand that level of allegiance.

But that’s the point. That’s the reason. Jesus is no mere rabbi. He’s much more than a teacher. He’s been given greater authority.

You can’t follow Jesus with faith that tries to stall.

That’s why Jesus responds “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:22)

Jesus isn’t saying that the Father shouldn’t be buried. He isn’t saying that the man shouldn’t grieve. One of the 10 commandments is to “Honor your father and mother.”

Jesus is saying, “True disciples choose to put me first. They my mission over every other thing. Even when the choice is between Jesus and your family.”

Social Cost

Before we point the finger, his hesitation is understandable. To follow Jesus would’ve had a social cost.

To leave before the burial would’ve ruined his reputation. Not just with his family but his friends and close community.

In an honor/shame culture like the Middle East, to honor your parents was like honoring God. Not to do so would’ve been blasphemous.

And yet, here is Jesus saying “that’s the loyalty I demand.”  

The issue wasn’t his grief. It wasn’t his love for family. The spiritual offense to Jesus was his conditional commitment. It’s the order of the words, “First, let me bury.”

It’s good to honor your parents, but never more Jesus. Obedience to Jesus must trump all competition. Even when the rival is biologically related.

A rival priority in the face of a King is high treason against the Kingdom. It doesn’t matter who you are or how special the circumstances.

Jesus said it this way in Matthew 10:34-37

Matthew 10:34–37 CSB

34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…. 37 The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Or consider what Jesus said to the crowds in Luke 14:26-27

Luke 14:26–27 CSB

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Some of you know first hand this sword that Jesus brings. The day you became a Christian is the day that everything changed.

First, came a bit of scorn. “You got religion.” Then they started to push you out in certain conversations. You were at the dinner table but never felt more alone.

Allegiance to Jesus has a social cost. Jesus refuses to pretend otherwise. And the cost we bear in the United States pales in comparison to others.

There are others in the Middle East who covert from Islamic families who spend the rest of their lives “cut off” from even seeing family. In some cases, a fatwa or death penalty is issued. They are emotionally and relationally dead to their mom and dad.

So it’s not that surprising that the man would hesitate. And it’s not that uncommon for people to do that today. The warning is, you cannot follow Jesus with faith that always stalling.

True allegiance bears the social cost.

The problem isn’t outright rejection. It’s the conditions for spiritual delay. Maybe, like this man, yours sound reasonable.

It’s not refusing to go. It’s simply saying, “to wait.” A few more weeks. A few more months. Let’s just see what happens.

It’s easy to see sin on a wicked path. It’s harder when it’s cloaked in love. When it’s not sinful request or forbidden relationship. That’s what makes it so dangerous as an idol.

You’re choosing to “keep the peace” when Jesus brought a sword. “Maybe Jesus will change his mind. Maybe they’ll have a change of heart. The answer is, he certainly won’t. He won’t sit in second place.

Jesus wants to bless you and give you abundant life. But Jesus is unwilling to sit in second place. It’s because he loves you that your conditions are rejected.

Jesus will not abide a superficial faith. Jesus will not abide divided loyalties. True allegiance chooses to bear the social cost.

The Dead Bury the Dead

Commentators argue about this statement, “Let the dead bury the dead.” It’s a jarring and odd thing to say.

This has led some to think the death is of a “spiritual” nature. How can dead people do anything if they’re already physically dead?

“Let the spiritually dead bury the physical dead.” Is the basic idea. Some have even translated it, “Let grave diggers” bury the dead. For them, it’s more symbolic than spiritual or metaphorical.

I’m not completely sure but Jesus said it for a reason. Jesus repeats “death” two times because that’s what the man was choosing. Jesus was offering life and purpose while he was focused on death.  

This obsession over physical death continues still today. From mediums to ghost stories to horror movies, etc – they feel at home in the cemetery.

But what’s more common than that obsession is choosing spiritual death. People choosing the slavery of sin instead of true freedom in Christ. People choosing hell and the grave over resurrection life!

When Jesus says, “Follow me! Let the dead bury the dead” He’s implying by the contrast that “With me is abundant life.”

One reason Jesus tells him to let the dead bury the dead is because abundant life was being offered if he would simply choose it.

That life is being offered to every one of us. Jesus has all authority over sickness, disease and death. He also has all authority over Satan, sin and evil.

When Jesus speaks the word, they do what Jesus says. But that will only happen when you give your full allegiance.

This brings us to the last point and Matthew’s central focus. These two people illustrate conditional commitment.

But Matthew’s central focus is why Jesus could not accept it. All of this is summarized in a three word little phrase. Jesus has all authority because He is the “Son of Man.”

TURN AND FOLLOW

Don’t just come to Jesus because of what he says. Don’t just come to Jesus because of what you seek.

Follow Jesus because he’s the “SON OF MAN.”

This is a Messianic title that comes from Daniel 7 and it’s often used by Jesus. This is the first time for Jesus to use it in Matthew’s Gospel. He’s go on to use it another 30 plus times.

On the surface, it seems like Jesus is diminishing his authority. To say he’s the “son of man” seems to diminish his divine nature.

Don’t mistake it for modesty. Jesus isn’t saying, “I’m just an ordinary human.” The name comes from a night vision about royal and eternal king.

Daniel 7:13–14 CSB

13 I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. 14 He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

“Son of Man” is the Messianic title that Jesus chose for himself. The Messianic king who would come on the clouds and inherit the nations as his inheritance.

He was a human figure but divine in glory, escorted into the throne room of heaven. From there, the Father – the Ancient of Days – hands him an everlasting dominion. A kingdom that’s filled with EVERY PEOPLE, EVERY NATION and EVERY LANGUAGE.”

The Son of Man

It’s for this very purpose that Jesus “goes to the other side of the lake.” This is the reason Jesus preached “God’s Kingdom to the Gentiles.”

This was also the reason the religious leaders hated him.

As a result, they plotted together for a way to stop him. This was why, “The Son of Man had no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)

If you keep reading Matthew’s Gospel, the Son of Man is MORE than that.

He has authority on earth to forgive people’s sins (Mat 9:6)

He was a friend to “tax collectors and sinners.” (Mat 11:19)

He is Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8)

He would be delivered into murderous hands. (Matthew 17:12)

“The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priest and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised.” (Matthew 20:18-19)

Cross 2 Crown

What Jesus said would happen happened. He was handed over. Betrayed by a Judas for 30 pieces of silver.

He did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. (Mat 20:28)

When the pharisees demand that Jesus give them a sign to prove he was the Christ and not just some teacher. Jesus told them No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.” (Matthew 12:40)

Jonah was in the grave but came up on the third day just like Jesus was in the grave but raised on the third day. Not only has he been raised he will one day come again.

“The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…” (Matthew 24:30)

We should turn and follow Jesus because he’s the Son of Man.

Before the crown, Jesus died to bear our shame.

What Jesus demands of every follower he also did himself. He made the sacrifice and he bore the social cost.

In obedience to the Father’s will “Jesus laid down his own life.” (John 10:17-18)

And after making atonement for sin Jesus “bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

It’s the same Greek word that Matthew uses here. He chose a life of mission instead of comfort and ease. He lived with true allegiance to the Father’s Will.

As a result, he has been given ALL AUTHORITY. (Mat 28:18). And he extends the invitation for “anyone to come.” The invitation is universal. Whosoever will. God so loved the WORLD that he gave his only son.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened… Take my yoke upon you and I will give you rest…” (Mat 11:28) “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink…” (John 7:37-39)

But that promise of salvation to “whosoever will” is only given to those who turn and follow.

Salvation by Allegiance

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all describe the difference between those who come to Jesus and those who chose to follow.

Matthew draws a line between the followers and the crowd. The disciples and the people who didn’t choose to follow.

A better translation for the faith that saves your soul. Is faith that shows allegiance to Jesus Christ as King.

We are saved by grace through faith. But that faith is not agreement. It’s not intellectual or emotional it’s an act of the human will.

It’s something you do once when you give your life to Christ. After that it’s something that you do EVERY SINGLE DAY.

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

“As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:7)

Saving faith is marked by true allegiance.

Through allegiance, Christ will save your soul.

One day, in an ultimate sense, when Jesus comes again. But also on this day, and every day thereafter.

Take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. It’s not enough to come, you must choose to follow.

Matthew’s story of these two men are given to make that point. The question left for you to answer, is whether you’ll believe.

Matthew 8:23

“As Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him.”

Jesus is willing to save whoever comes.

Jesus is looking for people with true faith.

Genuine faith offers Jesus full allegiance.