There is a powerful scene in The Chosen, a Christian TV series about the life of Jesus Christ, where Jesus and His disciples walk past Matthew, the tax collector, who is working in his booth. Jesus stops and turns to face Matthew and firmly says, “FOLLOW ME.” Matthew, in that precise moment, chooses to immediately walk away from his prominent position and wealth, to follow Jesus. It is a powerful testimony of being obedient to the call of Christ.

Jesus still says, FOLLOW ME, and we are still called to lay down our lives. Matthew 16:24-25 says, “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 chose to follow Jesus in spite of being considered a most horrible person by those who knew of him. They judged him not good enough, not worthy. BUT GOD. Jesus made it VERY CLEAR that HE did not hold that against him. Jesus rescues and redeems!🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻 Colossians 1:13-14 says, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  

In Luke 9:60 Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” The word dead is used to explain that something no longer has influence over you, or that you are indifferent towards a thing. Also, the law and sin do not control you, denying worldly pursuits you instead seek the Lord above all things, in order to serve Him, and do His work for the Kingdom of God. Romans 7:4 says, “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” In Romans 6:11 we are told, “… count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

In Matthew 4:19 Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The metaphor is that of the world being the sea, the souls of men being the fish, and the net being the church, the Christ followers. Isaiah 57:20 says, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.”

In Matthew 19:21 Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” The meaning of the word perfect in this command is referring to being mature, complete, and whole. This word is also used in the Sermon on the Mount to describe the heart of the true disciple, the ones who are like their heavenly Father. In this passage Jesus was speaking to a rich man and the purpose of this comment was to expose the blindness of this wealthy young man, and his ultimate lack of sincerity.

In Luke 9:1-3, Jesus sent his twelve disciples out into the far away lands to preach the gospel message, to heal the sick and cast out demons. He told them not to bring a money bag, food, or even a change of clothes. He told them to stay where people welcomed them. When the disciples questioned Him, He told them to completely rely on the provision of The Father in their lives.

Does Jesus still call us to follow Him today? YES! He does!

All of the above scriptures still ring true. It’s about the attitude of the heart. The Lord looks at our availability, willingness, and our trust in Him. God’s Word tells us to lay down our lives, leave our past behind, deny the temptations and securities found in the world, share the gospel, and to trust in Him for our provision. We are given a promise in Matthew 6:33! “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you!”

Praise God!🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻

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