Spiritual death is more serious than physical death

But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60

Jesus invited a person to come and follow him. He agreed and then he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” Jesus said, ‘Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the kingdom of God.” 

What in the world did Jesus mean by this statement?

You see, the Bible reveals the truth about death in three different ways- physical, spiritual, and eternal death. Of course, Jesus did not mean those who are physically dead go and bury their own dead. Because those who are physically dead cannot bury the one who died. 

The second possibility is those who are spiritually dead. Bible declares spiritual death is more critical and dangerous than physical death. A person may look healthier and stronger outside but spiritually dead inside. Bible says in Ephesians 2:1-3, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,  in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.” A person is spiritually dead when he or she lives in transgressions and sins. Spiritually dead people follow the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air. It happens knowingly or unknowingly. You may look vibrant and healthier. At the same time, you could be dead spiritually. Many people are physically alive but dead inside – spiritually dead.

In short, a spiritually dead person does not have a loving fellowship with God. If we live in this world as spiritually dead people, then the final result after death would be eternal death. This is why I said above being spiritually dead is a serious place to be in. Jesus said and you can read in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Spiritual death results in eternal death. Eternal death means eternally away from God and His goodness forever and ever. On the contrary, you can become spiritually alive toward God by coming to Jesus Christ and accepting him as your savior and Lord. You become spiritually alive with God now as you live here. The final result is eternal life- living with God in heaven forever and ever. As long as he or she does not come to Christ in repentance of their sins and shortcoming and accept him as the savior, they remain in the spiritually dead condition. And the outcome would be eternal death- away from God and his goodness all throughout the eternity after your death. This is why the Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Beloved, Jesus was saying to this man, let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Those who are spiritually alive preach about the kingdom of God. If you are still spiritually dead with no fellowship and friendship With God, I invite you to come to Jesus Christ who will raise you from spiritual dead stage to a spiritually alive stage and grant you eternal life. Then you have a job here right now – share the love and grace of God to others around you. 

Are you spiritually dead? You need Jesus Christ right now to connect with God. Are you spiritually alive already? Then you have a job only you can do. That is preaching the kingdom of God. 

The man gave an excuse to Jesus. He said let me first go and bury my father. It does not mean his father is already dead. He wants to be with his father until his death and then wants to come and follow Christ. 

Beloved, if Lord Jesus calls you now, do not give an excuse. You may never get another loving and great opportunity to come to Him. Do not neglect it when he calls you. Come when he invites you now and do what he asks you to do. Jesus lovingly calls you today to come to Him and become spiritually alive with God. He paid for your sins by his divine blood. You do not need to walk around spiritually dead- you can be alive to God with a small prayer with me now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to establish my relationship with you, by Christ Jesus. I believe Jesus died in my place and paid for my sins and shortcomings with his blood. Please forgive my sins and save me now. Lord, I know I have a duty to do. I want to share this good news and preach about the kingdom of God. I surrender my life to your calling of sharing the gospel with others. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.”