Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Matthew 8:21-22
In Jesus’ time, if a person who had studied the scriptures felt called to be a teacher of the law, he would look for a rabbi to follow. The rabbi would consider the student and decide if he was worthy of being his disciple. If he was, the rabbi would say, “Come, follow me.” The student would then leave everything and everyone in his life and follow the rabbi. However, if the rabbi did not think the student was worthy of being his disciple, he would send him back home where the student would likely continue in his family’s trade.
In Matthew 8 we have the familiar story of many people following Jesus. Suddenly one of his followers, who may have studied the scriptures, comes to him. Jesus sees the great potential in this man, so he invites him to become one of his disciples and says, “Come, follow me.”
Unfortunately this young man is not willing to let go of what he has to accept the calling and ministry that Jesus had for him.
Application: Jesus has every right to send us away. He can look at our lives and see all of our flaws and failures. However, instead of seeing the bad, He sees the potential. Jesus could easily send us back to our lives of sin, but instead He says to us, “Come, follow Me.” None of us are worthy, but Jesus accepts us anyway.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for seeing my potential. I know I am not worthy of such a great gift, yet you invite me to be your disciple.
If you have not yet received the Lord in your heart, we invite you to say this prayer: Lord
Today I recognize that I need you. I accept that I have sinned, that this separates me from you; and I do not want to suffer eternal punishment. I know that you love me, I do not deserve it, forgive all my sins, forgive me for having failed. Accept my gratitude for your love, your forgiveness and your salvation through the death and resurrection of your Son. I believe in my heart in the sacrifice of Jesus, and that he rose from the dead. Thank you for accepting me, for loving me and saving me. Now I know that when I die, nothing and no one will be able to separate me from you. Amen.
Pastor Martin Wolf
www.trinitychurch.com
