Responding to the Lord’s Call

When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they immediately followed Him (Matthew 4:18-22). There was no concern about what they were doing prior to Jesus’ arrival. They were called by Jesus…and followed.

A bit later in Matthew 8:18-22, a scribe came to Jesus saying He would follow Jesus where ever He sent, but Jesus said, “[t]he foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).” Jesus’ statement may have been a direct ‘challenge’ for the scribe to accept considering his lifestyle as a scribe. The scribe was not disqualified from following Jesus, but it was something he needed to consider.

Directly following the scribe, another disciple wanted to first bury his father before following Jesus, but He told the disciple, “[f]ollow me; and let the dead bury their dead (Matthew 8:22).” A lot of people may have thought it would be alright to attend their father’s funeral before following the Lord. But consider Jesus’ statement. The disciple following of Jesus was of greater importance, even in comparison to burying his father. Those that were burying his father were dead, not physically, but spiritually. The disciple was being called to a much greater purpose – to share the life-changing, life-giving message of the Gospel.

Consider Jesus’ statement in Matthew 10:37 when speaking to the 12 disciples, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” To be worthy of the Lord, one must be willing to love the Lord more than their father, mother, son, or daughter. The circumstances surrounding their lives (and closest family members and friends) cannot be of greater importance. If loving family and friends is greater, we will not follow the Lord in the ways, places, and circumstances He desires – and we will be unworthy of Jesus. And if we are unworthy of Him, we will be unworthy of His father also (cf. Matthew 10:33-34; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-26).

^{Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/kconner}