Not Even for His Father
“Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;”Leviticus 21:11 (KJV)
The high priest in Israel lived under stricter rules than anyone else. One of them seems harsh at first. “Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother.” Not even for his own parents.
His calling to stand before God came before everything, even family grief. He belonged wholly to the sanctuary.
Jesus said something that sounded just as hard. A man he called answered, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” And Jesus replied, “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”
Jesus isn’t against honouring parents. He told us to. But he is first. Our great High Priest gave himself wholly to the work of saving us, and he asks for that same first place in our hearts. Anything good, even family, becomes a problem when it stands in front of him.
Read it yourself
Read Luke 9:57–62. What three people does Jesus speak with, and what does each one want first?
What good thing in your life competes for first place with Jesus?
Lord Jesus, you gave yourself wholly for me. Take first place in my heart, ahead of every good thing. Amen.