Luke 9:60

Luke 9:60

Luke 9:60 records Jesus’ blunt instruction to a potential follower: “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Here, Jesus intensifies the call to immediate mission, emphasizing urgency over unseemly delays. The phrase “the dead bury their dead” contrasts those who are spiritually alive in Christ with those who remain bound to worldly concerns. Jesus does not diminish the seriousness of burial customs, but he prioritizes the proclamation of God’s kingdom. It’s a radical reorientation of life around the mission, which becomes the center of existence for Jesus’ followers.

This verse reinforces the central Christian claim: the gospel is urgent, transformative, and demands a response now. It emphasizes divine initiative and human response—God calls, people respond by bearing witness. The command to preach the kingdom is a summary of Jesus’ mission and a guideline for the church’s activity. It also suggests that spiritual life (being “alive in Christ”) compels mission, turning away from mere social or familial rituals to the life-giving message of the gospel.

Practically, this means cultivating a posture of readiness to share the gospel. It could involve short, intentional acts of evangelism, inviting someone to church, or supporting mission work with time or money. It challenges procrastination: if God’s kingdom is truly urgent, what next step can you take today? You could begin with a simple conversation about faith with a coworker, or join a local outreach initiative. Churches can translate this urgency into structured outreach efforts, training, and sustainable missional programs that empower members to speak about Jesus in everyday life.

Cross-References: Matthew 10:7; Luke 10:2; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:20