"Follow Me"

Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27-28

            We can only imagine what was going through Matthew’s mind after this unorthodox rabbi name Jesus stopped at his tax booth and said, “Follow Me.”  It would seem to me that this Jesus was not someone entirely unknown to Matthew.  The text here indicates that this took place in Galilee where Jesus healed and taught quite openly.  So Matthew would have had ample opportunity to hear about Jesus if not personally hear Him teach or observe a miracle or two.

            On the other hand, Jesus was probably not unfamiliar with Matthew, either.  He had no doubt traveled that road many times and observed him from a distance.  We know that Jesus had this unique if not miraculous ability to assess the character of individuals.  So when He stepped over to that tax booth that day, looked Matthew right in the eye, and said, “Follow Me,” He knew what He was doing.

            The thought-provoking question is whether Matthew knew what he was getting into!  What was going through his mind?  Sure he knew about this Jesus’ different message and was no doubt aware of the miracles, but did he know what lay ahead if he agreed?  Did he have any inkling of Who this was?  Of what kind of adventure awaited him?  Of where this path would lead?

            Someone has said, “When you chose the path, you choose the destination.”  Quite true.  And so it was true of Matthew.  There was something about this Nazarene that caused him to get up from that tax booth and just walk away from it all.  He could not have known where this decision would lead him, be he obviously was willing to risk it all on the rabbi named Jesus.  It must have been both thrilling and a little scarey at the same time.  Sort of like riding a roller coaster.

            Jesus calls to us even today: “Follow Me.”  The choice is the same as the one Matthew made.  Will you risk it all on this Jesus of Nazareth who is called Christ?  Do you trust Him?  Do you believe His words?  Are you willing to place yourself in His hands and let Him lead you on an adventurous journey through life culminating in a glorious new home and life eternal?

            Well?  Are you?

                                                            ><>  Jeff