09/27/2023
Do you want to follow Jesus but have something you must do first? Has God ever called you to a specific purpose but the timing just wasn’t convenient for you? If that is the case, did you console yourself by saying "God understands that I will eventually come" or perhaps use some other rationalization? Well, think again. His table is set when He calls us, but if we delay then it will eventually be cleared, and the meal put away. Will we ignore Him, and arrive too late to dine?
“To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."”
Luke 9:59-60 ESV
When I was a boy I played outside from morning until dark. I would explore the surrounding woods, sit in apple trees and eat them as I dreamed away the afternoon, or made forts in which to play. Every day was different and I was constantly busy. When mealtime came my mother would open the screen door and yell my name... "RICHY... LUNCH!" If I was busy at some playtime task I would yell "COMING MOM!" and continue to play. Sometimes I would only tarry a moment but other times I would get reabsorbed in what I was doing and she would have to call me a second time... "RICHY... LUNCH!" And when I responded with my "COMING MOM!" She would say "NOW!" If I tarried that time I knew that when I reached the kitchen the food might already have been put away, and I wouldn't be able to eat until suppertime.
Jesus teaches that calling us once should be enough! He understands our humanity, and that just like I did as a boy we might dilly dally around, but his desire is that we come the first time He calls; not the second or third!
Another interesting thing occurred during my boyhood lunches. Sometimes I would be in a rush to get back outside and want to run into the kitchen, grab my sandwich, and then rush back to what I was doing... eating as I ran. This, however, was against my Mother's rules. Mealtime had rules back then. I would come in, go wash my hands, sit down at the table, pray, and then eat slowly... there was no cramming half a sandwich into my mouth or gulping down my soup. Preparing to eat was important because it showed my reverence towards God, and by eating slowly I honored the effort my mother had put into preparing the meal.
“Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."”
Luke 9:62 ESV
As a child, playtime was for playing, but mealtime was for eating in my mother's kitchen, just as doing what we like to do today is meant to be completed in our own time, but when the Lord calls us we should put those things behind us and do His bidding. It is more than a convenience to God when we answer Him immediately... it is honoring Him by obeying Him. We call Him our Lord, but we also call Him our Heavenly Father.
“"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 ESV
This is the first of God's commandments that has a promise associated with it; "that your days may be long in the land." We like to quote this using the word "obey" but the actual word is "honor". We honor our parents by obeying, but the motivation is honor. It is the same when our Heavenly Father speaks... we honor Him and don't treat Him with disrespect.
So our lesson today is to come when we are called, and to dedicate ourselves to the purpose of our Calling. We aren't to drag our feet or keep attending to our own pleasure for a while longer, and we aren't to rush through His bidding to get back to those things we desire. We are to honor Him always and in all things.
When we are driving down the street and the Lord says "See that man? Buy his newspaper." Or if we are sitting in McDonalds and someone doesn't have enough money for their meal, and God says "buy them supper." we are to do it immediately. It isn't about God wanting to prove His dominance over us... it is about our honoring Him in all things. If we delay then the man selling newspapers will go home before we return to buy one, or the needy soul leaves the restaurant hungry, and the opportunity to not only do the good deed is lost, but we have disappointed our Father. My mother cleared the table when mealtime was over, and our Father does the same. Do we come when we are called?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for every opportunity I have to honor you. I thank you for allowing me to obey you because I know that each time you call to me, or make a request of me, it is for my good and out of your love for me, and those around me. Help me Father to come immediately when you call, to cleanse and prepare myself for you, and to honor your will by concentrating on, and treating respectfully, those things you have laid out before me. Holy Father, I watched as your Son Jesus Christ broke bread. I watched Him wash his hands, I heard Him pray over it, and I saw Him eat from your table as He taught your Word. I pray that today I will have an opportunity to do the same. I pray that I will prepare myself for those things that are to come, that I will honor you in receiving them, and then obey your will without hesitation so that it is done, not just to the best of my ability, but to the perfection of our ability. You are my Father and I honor you in all things Lord! To delay in responding to your voice or rush through your will is disrespectful of me, and dishonors you. I pray that I place you above me always and respect your commandments as I honor you. You are my Father… teach me to answer when you call, and I will praise your name as I come running to you!
Rich Forbes