There is a movie “Night of the Living Dead.”
It is a 1968 film about 7 people trapped in a PA farmhouse. While there, the 7 had to battle zombies, dead bodies that came back to life.
I can’t recommend the film because I have not seen it. I only know the story from doing a quick search.
I do however know the title and I like it. The title (and the title alone) describes the work of Christ. What do I mean by that?
At one point in Jesus’ life here there were a LOT of people attracted to what he was doing. One guy said, “I want to follow you, but first let me go bury my father.” Jesus said, “Follow me and let the dead bury their own dead.”
What an unusual line right? Why would Jesus say this and keep the man from burying his father?
Two things here:
- Jesus was emphasizing that following him should not be put off. The guy was making excuses. He most likely did have a father to bury. In this instance he was using it as an excuse and Jesus was calling him out.
- He called him out by saying, “Let the dead, bury the dead.” Let the living dead bury the physically dead. Again, unusual statement right?
Those who are not in Christ are “dead in their trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2) They are living. They have a body that in one sense is alive and is breathing. They have pores that will sweat. They have hair and nails that grow.
BUT in another sense, they are dead. They are spiritually dead.
Jesus was saying, let the spiritually dead, bury the physically dead.
That phrase, “Living Dead” is accurate. The only way to life is in Christ. Your only hope is to follow the one that will bring life to both your body and your spirit.
S.D.G.