This week’s prompt was “bury,” and indeed, that word has been on my mind, as Mother’s death was last week. For six years ago, we buried her. From my February 17, 2020 post: “My two sisters and I will bury our mother next to our father in the New England town where we grew up. Mother asked for grave-side recitations of Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer. I will play the last piece I played for her.”

When peace like a river, attendeth my way;

When sorrows, like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well

With my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

There you shall bury me in the land of Canaan

‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’” Genesis 50:5 NIV

Here, Joseph asks Pharaoh for permission to bury his father Jacob. Even before the Ten Commandments, honoring parents was deeply ingrained in Israelite culture. Swearing an oath and keeping that vow indicated the depth of one’s character and faith. Joseph was committed to carry out his father’s final wishes even as, by asking Pharaoh’s permission, he showed respect for his earthly responsibilities. Note also that Joseph will bury his father in Canaan, God’s promised land, pointing to the future.

Leave the dead to bury their own dead

But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22 NIV

I admit to struggling with this verse. Clearly, the Kingdom of God takes precedence over all earthly concerns. But taken literally, does following Jesus mean neglecting my family responsibilities? Well yes, but there’s a nuance to the use of the phrase “dead bury their own dead.” By “the dead,” Jesus means the spiritually dead, unbelievers. They would bury the physically dead thus leaving the spiritually alive believers to do the work of God. In short, this verse is about obedience, priorities, and commitment: the call to follow Jesus comes first, without hesitation.

Bury in baptism, rise from the dead

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12 NIV

Baptism in Christ symbolizes being “buried” with Him, that is, united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Like Old Testament circumcision, the circumcision or baptism into Christ “buries” one’s old, dead, sinful nature and raises the believer—through God’s power—to new life in His Kingdom. We cannot earn salvation or eternal life; our transformation is an act of God’s grace through faith.

Being “buried in Christ” is not something we should hide or bury, but instead proclaim boldly and with confidence. In Christ, You shall bury me. For that burial is well with my soul.

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