Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

²¹  Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

²²  But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”  Matthew 8:19-22.  

Here are some quotes from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“It might at first sight appear strange, that Christ sends back, and does not admit into his family, one who offers to follow him immediately and without delay: while he detains another along with him who, by asking leave for a time, showed himself to be slower and less willing. But there are the best reasons for both. Whence arose the great readiness of the scribe to prepare himself immediately to accompany Christ, but from his not having at all considered the hard and wretched condition of his followers? We must bear in mind that he was a scribe, who had been accustomed to a quiet and easy life, had enjoyed honor, and was ill-fitted to endure reproaches, poverty, persecutions, and the cross. He wishes indeed to follow Christ, but dreams of an easy and agreeable life, and of dwellings filled with every convenience; whereas the disciples of Christ must walk among thorns, and march to the cross amidst uninterrupted afflictions. The more eager he is, the less he is prepared. He seems as if he wished to fight in the shade and at ease, neither annoyed by sweat nor by dust, and beyond the reach of the weapons of war. There is no reason to wonder that Christ rejects such persons: for, as they rush on without consideration, they are distressed by the first uneasiness of any kind that occurs, lose courage at the first attack, give way, and basely desert their post. Besides, this scribe might have sought a place in the family of Christ, in order to live at his table without expense, and to feed luxuriously without toil. Let us therefore look upon ourselves as warned, in his person, not to boast lightly and at ease, that we will be the disciples of Christ, while we are taking no thought of the cross, or of afflictions; but, on the contrary, to consider early what sort of condition awaits us. The first lesson which he gives us, on entering his school, is to deny ourselves, and take up his cross, (Matthew 16:24.)

Foxes have holes.   The Son of God describes by these words what was his condition while he lived on the earth, but, at the same time, informs his disciples what sort of life they must be prepared to expect.

Lord, permit me to go first and bury my father.   We have said, that the scribe was rejected by Christ as a follower, because he made his offer without consideration, and imagined that he would enjoy an easy life. The person whom Christ retains had an opposite fault. He was prevented from immediately obeying the call of Christ by the weakness of thinking it a hardship to leave his father. It is probable that his father was in extreme old age: for the mode of expression, Permit me to bury, implies that he had but a short time to live. 

From Christ’s reply we learn, that children should discharge their duty to their parents in such a manner that, whenever God calls them to another employment, they should lay this aside, and assign the first place to the command of God. Whatever duties we owe to men must give way, when God enjoins upon us what is immediately due to himself. All ought to consider what God requires from them as individuals, and what is demanded by their particular calling, that earthly parents may not prevent the claims of the highest and only Father of all from remaining entire.”

Here is the link to the full Commentary by Calvin on these verses –  

I am soft and lazy.  I crave comfort even luxury.  I fear that I may flee if times got too tough.  So, I turn to my Savior and admit my weakness and ask for help.  “Lord, these words are hard to read.  I am soft and lazy.  I crave comfort even luxury.  I fear that I may flee if times got too tough.  Help me!” 

Our Savior and Lord will indeed strengthen us to handle whatever we face:

1. Ephesians 3:16
   that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
   
2. Philippians 4:13
   I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
   
3. Colossians 1:11
   strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
   
4. 1 Thessalonians 3:2
   and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
   
5. 2 Thessalonians 2:17
   comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
   
6. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
   But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
   
7. 1 Timothy 1:12
   I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
   
8. 2 Timothy 4:17
   But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
   
9. Hebrews 12:12
   Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
   
10. Hebrews 13:9
    Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
    
11. James 5:8
    You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
    
12. 1 Peter 5:10
    After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.