04/06/2019
Are you afraid to leave home and travel with Jesus? When He calls out to you how do you react? If you were standing on the street corner and Jesus walked by saying “Follow me!” What would you do? Would you pretend you didn’t know Him? What if He only wanted you to go downtown and serve a meal at the local soup kitchen? Answering the call of Christ means leaving our comfort zone... it also means changing something about ourselves so that we become more like Him.
“Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.”Hebrews 13:13 ESV
When we follow Jesus we should be prepared to go through the same ordeals that He is going through. if He has left everything He owns then we should be prepared to do the same. If He prays all night then we should be ready to pray all night as well. If he suffers and carries a cross then we should know that a cross is in our future, and if He suffers... well, then that too is in our future.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”Matthew 16:24-25 ESV
One of my favorite examples of being prepared to follow Jesus came on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus walked on the water. The disciples were afraid when they saw him, but listen to what Peter said, and pay attention to what he did...
“And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”Matthew 14:28-29 ESV
When we follow Jesus we are changed. Peter’s Faith became something new that day; it was increased and he was able to walk on water just as Jesus did. Would you be faithful enough to get out of your boat and walk to Jesus? So often we begin following Jesus when suddenly fear retakes us, and the progress we have made is lost. That is exactly what happened to Peter. Listen to the account, and words of Jesus...
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"”Matthew 14:30-31 ESV
Fear causes us to doubt, and doubt causes us to fear... it is a vicious circle. One of the phrases that is repeatedly used in the Bible is “fear not”, and if we paid close attention to that advice I am certain the cycle of doubt would be broken. Where would we be with a healthy dose of faith, and no fear? Why... we would be following Jesus, not only onto the surface of the sea, but up onto the mount where we would deliver sermons to the fearful, onto the Cross, through hell, and into our Father’s house. We would be fishers of men, and saviors of the lost.
“And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”Matthew 4:19-20 ESV
If we answer the call of Jesus he will not only lead us in our faith, but He will ask us what we would have Him do for us, and our answer will surprise us. Have you ever played the game where you tell someone what you would do if you suddenly won the lottery, or came into a large fortune? What were your wants; a new house, a fancy car, pay off all your debts, or take a trip around the world? Interestingly enough, when you answer the call of Jesus, and He asks you what you want, your desires will have changed along with your faith. When Jesus is asked for things by His disciples it is for such things as how to pray, how to heal or to be healed, and how to cast out demons. They don’t ask for a fine new horse so that they won’t have to walk, or a servant to carry their belongings... no, they never seem concerned about the earthly things because God just provides those when they need them.
“And stopping, Jesus called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?" They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.”Matthew 20:32-34 ESV
So, can we gauge our walk with Jesus by our current wants and desires, and what we ask of Him we He poses the question “What do you want me to do for you?” How about our fear, can we determine the degree of our faith by how much fear we demonstrate when Jesus says “Follow Me”... or by whether we hesitate to step out of our boat?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and the changes He makes in our lives. Thank you for the fear He helps us conquer, and the faith that blossoms in His presence. Thank you for the new set of needs that we suddenly have, and the lack of concern for those earthly things that once seemed so important. Thank you Jesus for our new direction in life, and the love that begins to guide us towards our Heavenly Father, and the light of our home in glory. Teach us Holy Father to look away from what we leave behind, and towards your will that only just begins when Jesus calls us to follow Him. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who removes all fear, and increases us in faith and love. Praised be your name Merciful Father as we heal, and are healed, pray, and are answered in our prayers, and as we walk with you always. Let all glory be yours Lord as we are lifted up, and become more like you each day. Hear our voices Gracious Father, as we sing praises, and find our every need in worshiping you forevermore.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."”John 8:12 ESV
Rich Forbes