In the New Testament, the theme of overmuch care is illustrated through the accounts of individuals who expressed a desire to follow Jesus Christ but were hindered by their worldly concerns and priorities. These narratives serve as poignant reminders of the cost of discipleship and the necessity of wholehearted commitment to Christ.

The Scribe and the Teacher of the Law

In the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter a scribe who approaches Jesus with the declaration of his intent to follow Him. Matthew 8:19-20 records, "Then a scribe came to Him and said, 'Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.'" This interaction highlights the scribe's initial enthusiasm but also underscores the reality of the sacrifices required to follow Christ. Jesus' response serves as a sobering reminder that discipleship may involve relinquishing earthly comforts and securities.

The Hesitant Disciple

Another account is found in Luke 9:57-62 , where several individuals express their willingness to follow Jesus, yet reveal their divided loyalties. One man says, "I will follow You, Lord; but first let me go back and bid farewell to my family" (Luke 9:61). Jesus responds, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). This passage illustrates the tension between familial obligations and the call to discipleship. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of undivided focus and commitment, warning against the distractions of overmuch care for worldly ties.

The Rich Young Ruler

The account of the rich young ruler, found in Matthew 19:16-22 , further exemplifies the challenge of overmuch care. The young man approaches Jesus, inquiring about eternal life. Jesus instructs him to keep the commandments and then adds, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21). The young man departs sorrowfully, unable to part with his wealth. This narrative underscores the difficulty of surrendering material possessions and the grip of earthly attachments, which can impede one's ability to fully commit to Christ.

The Call to Radical Discipleship

These accounts collectively emphasize the radical nature of Christ's call to discipleship. The individuals who offered to follow Jesus were confronted with the reality that true discipleship demands prioritizing the kingdom of God above all else. The overmuch care for personal comfort, familial duties, and material wealth serves as a cautionary tale for believers, urging them to examine their own lives for any hindrances to wholehearted devotion to Christ.

In these narratives, Jesus consistently challenges potential followers to consider the cost of discipleship and to weigh their priorities. The call to follow Christ is not merely an invitation but a summons to a transformed life, marked by a willingness to forsake all for the sake of the gospel.Luke 9:57
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said to him, Lord, I will follow you wherever you go.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Cor. x. 25
... But not then scrupulous overmuch, nor again, on the ... so also those great and noble
persons who were ... beginning made this their chiefest care: examine accurately ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 1 cor x.htm

I am first to give you some directions for bringing your people to ...
... he may know whom he has to take care of and ... do not expect them to perplex their minds
overmuch about it ... will not serve to bring any particular persons to submit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 1.htm

The Folly and Danger of Being not Righteous Enough
... Ecclesiastes 7:16 " "Be not righteous overmuch, neither make thyself over ... but then
we are to take care to do ... of the new-birth, are esteemed as persons fit for ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the folly and danger of.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... it, as to its damning effects upon the persons that the ... sin at thy door, but at his
that offered the violence ... I read of some that are to follow Christ in chains ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... 'But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice ... without it; yea, that that, in
justified persons, remains ... ask for that with out mouth that we care not whether ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... extent.-4. They differ as to the persons with whom ... Joseph's exaltation was Israel's
advantage.-God's care of his ... news of eternal life, as freely offered in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... look for such things, 'what manner of persons ought we ... not slip thee, either for
want of care or provision ... 1.) Sit always loose from an overmuch affecting thine ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... Do not indulge in talking overmuch." [86] ?^6We should leave ... 2The strong must take
care of the ... sending you, moreover, trustworthy and discreet persons who from ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Letter Xlviii. To Pammachius.
... be the meaning of the words "Be not righteous overmuch"? ... prepared for virgins and
for wedded persons are different ... Cicero, or (if you do not care for pleaders ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlviii to pammachius.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... a brother from being swallowed up by overmuch grief ... Care not for it: but, even if
thou canst become ... he allowed second marriages to incontinent persons, and did ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Does God care about the little things that happen in our lives? | GotQuestions.org

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Care: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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