As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20)
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9)
When Jesus told Peter and Andrew and later Matthew to follow him, he turned and walked away to whatever he was doing next. It says that they “followed him” which implies he was already on the move. He didn’t stand there and watch Peter, Andrew and Matthew to see if they would follow him. He invited them to follow and then gave them the room and the freedom they needed to make a free-will decision to follow him. He moved on and they had the choice to follow or not.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
When non-believers hear this kind of statement their first reaction is, “How narrow, how intolerant, how exclusive.” Yet, this is the widest, most tolerant, and inclusive statement ever made.
It’s really an invitation to all to come to the Father through Jesus. There are no preconditions to be met, no conformations required – just decide to come as you are.
And, most importantly, no coercion. He makes this most wonderful of invitations to all and he leaves it with us to make our own decision to accept that invitation or not.
“Follow me,” and there he goes. Do I follow or not?
3 comments:
You do.
Thanks, Dan. You are a wise fellow.
Well said Dan. I try to follow, but I sure stumble a lot. I am kind of clumsy like that. Good thing He doesn't mind helping me back up and even carrying me when I am too tired.
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