FOLLOW ME
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
Matthew 9:9 (NLT)
Have you ever considered that Jesus didn't invite people into a religious moment? He invited people to follow Him. Again and again in the New Testament, Jesus invited people to follow Him. And people responded. They left boats, nets, jobs, unfinished tasks and even their current religious understanding to sit at His feet. They walked with Him. Shared meals with Him. Saw Him heal people and respond to suffering. Watched Him pray and listen to the Father. Over time, through their daily choice to remain with Him, they were transformed.
Following Jesus requires us to surrender our expectations, identities and preconceived notions and become learners. Disciple in Greek means learner. The idea of being a learner of Jesus, rather than simply trying to follow religious expectations, changes everything.
A learner expects growth. They understand the need for practice, correction, questions and time. Jesus never seemed discouraged by the disciples' need to learn, nor the time it took them. Being a disciple implies a process, not a program. A journey, not a quick fix. The transformation Jesus desires for us happens as we intentionally arrange our lives around His practices and rhythms. As we walk closely with Him, we open our hearts to God's power to change us.
While we can't physically walk the paths of Israel with Jesus, we can pattern our lives after Him. Scripture is one of God's greatest gifts to help us learn the ways of Jesus. Scripture teaches us the heart of Jesus. Not just what He did, but the heart behind His actions. As we begin to practice His ways, the Holy Spirit teaches, guides, corrects and encourages us as we continue becoming more like Jesus.
The invitation Jesus gave Matthew is still the invitation He gives us today: Follow Me.
APPLICATION: It is encouraging to know that we're on a journey with Jesus rather than having to figure everything out on our own. He not only wants to transform our lives, but also to walk with us through the process. What's one area of your life where Jesus is inviting you to follow Him more closely today?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting us to follow You. Help us to trust, learn and grow to become more like You each day. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?