"Follow Me" Jesus

April 24th, 2024
by Jon Holaday

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

Only Jesus can warrant a response as this. Matthew, a tax collector, hated by Jewish people due to their exploitation practices. Matthew was like anybody else. A sinner who most likely asked God if He existed & show Himself to him if He did. The desire to know God is actually placed in our DNA by God. He has put eternity in our hearts. Yet, we don't know Him outside of His word. They didn't either, but this would change.
Now, Jesus shows up, injects Himself into Matthews life. Im sure Jesus is responding to something in Matthews heart. Im sure Matthew had asked the LORD to show him who He is. He may even have saw or heard the things Jesus did and concluded Jesus was different than anyone else. The Bible says, Jesus says two simple but profound words, "follow Me" and that's all it took for Matthew. What causes a man to just leave a lucrative business to follow a Man whom he doesn't know? These type of positions didn't just present themselves. I'm sure, as I know from experience on how God has drawn me, this was a longer process of time. This was well thought out & the cost has been accessed. Jesus never just shows up uninvited. Matthew privately invited Jesus into His life and God heard him. Jesus all the sudden shows up! Now, I can see clearly why one as Matthew would do such extreme actions at Jesus' basic call. The only reason I ask to follow Jesus is if I have asked to know Jesus earlier and invite Him into my way of life. I'm so thankful He has been faithful at every invitation.