Ques. What is the meaning of Matt. 8:19-22?
Ans. This is a lesson on discipleship,—that is on following Christ. Salvation is ours through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; only these could be true disciples; others who would turn away from the Lord deliberately, and walked no more with Him, were those who were not born again (see John 2:23-25; 6:66-71).
One that is born again has eternal life, and eternally saved through the finished work of the Lord Jesus. (John 5:24; 10:28-29; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 10:14). Now real believers fail in their conduct, while their standing in Christ is ever the same (Rom. 8:1).
This lesson in Matt. 8:19-22 shows us the self interest of our hearts. Was the scribe prepared to follow One who had nowhere to lay His head? And the other did not want to follow the Lord till his father was dead and buried; but the Lord said, "Follow Me; and let the dead bury their dead."
We may be sure, if one really follows Christ, he will not neglect his home duties, nor any responsibility he has. Christ must be first. "To me to live is Christ." Phil. 1:21.
In Luke 9:57 to 62 we have another lesson added to the two given in Matthew. "Another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go and bid them farewell, which are at home at my house."
This man also put others before Christ; he must pay attention to his friends first with a show of zeal.
The selfishness of our hearts makes us think, if we follow Christ, and put His honor first, that we shall lose our comfort, our character, and our connections; while in reality we lose nothing, for the Lord looks after our comforts with countless mercies day by day, and our sharing His rejection, brings, with the reproach, a joy in communion with Him that gladdens and strengthens our hearts.
So with our character, God looks after that. We just need to do what He bids us, and those dependent upon us will not suffer either, nor will we fail in our affection to our relatives. Obedience to the Lord takes all these in.
Well we may lose some of our friends and connections for Christ's sake, but our true friends, will be those who seek to follow the same blessed Saviour.
Ques. Please explain 1 Peter 3:19.
Ans. It refers to Noah preaching by the Spirit of Christ to the antideluvians, who are now in prison because they did not believe Him. Christ Himself did not do the preaching; there was no preaching in the prison (chapter 4:6); the gospel was preached while they were living, to them that are dead.
Ques. Please explain 1 John 2:20, 27.
Ans. The Holy Spirit dwelling in the believer gives power and discernment to try the spirits, and thus judge what would dishonor the person of Christ as come in flesh. The Holy Spirit is the anointing, the seal, and the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Cor. 1:21-22).