ARE YOU WILLING?

“FOLLOW ME” Matthew 9:9 b

The invitation of Christ echoes throughout time and creation. It is a call to all who are hungry of spirit and weary of soul. The brevity of these simple words belies the significance of life-change for those who readily respond to them.

Spoken first to Matthew, a man whose name is ever linked to sinners and prostitutes; a tax collector who routinely cheated people of their money, a significance, which offers hope to every sinner. It is an invitation whose significance stands as a warning to every person of religious persuasion.

Hear the voice of Christ; He invites you not to a cold dead religion; He invites you not to a social gathering; He invites you not to cold steal and stained glass; He invite you and me, as broken as we are into a living relationship with one another and with Father God.

Some refuse to heed His call because they do not love the Father, others refuse to heat it because they refuse to love their neighbors as much as they love themselves, yet others refuse to honestly respond to His gentle voice because they love their traditions and their religion more than they are will to love God or man.

Matthew’s response is recorded, “AND HE AROSE, AND FOLLOWED HIM. He rose-up from where he was, leaving life as it had always been behind and followed in the footsteps of Jesus, even unto death and life eternal. As Peter would later leave family, home and job; Matthew recognized his need and followed the only One who could ever fulfill that need. Peter saw his brokenness and followed after the only One who could heal his brokenness.
What about you? Are you willing to abandon all the “Known” for the “Unknown” of walking with Jesus? Are you willing to leave family and riches, comfort and even traditional church if need be to follow Him?

Jesus is calling, “Follow me!” What will you do?