Matthew 8: Setting Things Right (4)
Pray Psalm 31.1, 2.
In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
Sing Psalm 31.1, 2.
Brother James’ Air: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll not Want
In You, O LORD, I refuge take; let me not come to shame!
In righteousness deliver me, according to Your Name.
Incline Your ear, my prayer to hear, my Fortress strong to save!
Read Matthew 8.1-22; meditate on verses 18-22.
What will “follow Me” require of you today?
Prepare.
1. Jesus saw a great crowd around Him, so He left. Why do you think He did that?
2. What kind of followers does Jesus seek?
Meditate.
Jesus understood that those crowds, flocking to Him in ever-increasing numbers, weren’t exactly on the same page with His project. John tells us that Jesus perceived they wanted to make Him a king, not according to His criteria, but theirs (Jn. 6.15). Jesus had come to bring the Kingdom, and, as He explained, life in the Kingdom is the pursuit of righteousness, even at the expense of self-denial.
Sensing they were about to lose a great opportunity to be in the Jesus band, two men approached Him, asking permission to follow along. The first, a scribe, had what was probably a comfy job working for the Jewish religious establishment. He may have been thinking that Jesus had a better and more popular gig than the local rabbi and his synagogue. Jesus sniffed out his real motivations and shot them out of the sky. Following Jesus means no entanglements with worldly comforts.
The second man seemed to be wanting to reserve a space in the Jesus band for some future possibility, after his father had died. Perhaps he was thinking he might wait until he could inherit enough to be able to fund himself comfortably among this itinerating troop. Jesus made the immediate demand of not waiting for anything when one is called to the Kingdom and glory of God. This young man’s priorities weren’t Jesus’ priorities, and he needed to know that.
What about us? Are we following Jesus, like the growing multitude, because He does something to make us feel good? Are we following Him but clinging to worldly things, hoping to enjoy the best of Him and them at the same time? Have we promised to follow Him a little later on, just not now? Or are we following Him because He alone has the words of eternal life (Jn. 6.68)? Jesus tells us to count the true cost of following Him: No other binding attachments, no delays, no terms but His.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side” (Matt. 8.18).
Have you ever noticed that when people find themselves caught out in a lie—of words or life—they begin giving excuses for things no one has even asked about? Excuses for nothing anyone is requiring of them?
Excuses before an accusation has even been rendered?
These two folks did just that. Jesus merely said, “There are a lot of people swarming around Me, wanting things from Me, and misunderstanding My Kingdom. Let’s go to the other side of the lake and remove ourselves from this hubbub.”
That statement brought about these excuses:
“I will follow You wherever You go—the accommodations will be nice, right?”
“I will follow You; but I really need some time to take care of obligations and whatnot. You’ll no doubt be wanting me when I can find the right time to join?” Whatever.
Statements that bring about excuses—Jesus seemed to bring that out in people.
Peter was the master of this questioning, let’s see how he managed it:
Jesus had just allowed Peter three opportunities to apologize for having denied ever knowing Him during His trial and subsequent execution. This scenario took place after Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus said to Peter, “Follow Me.” A statement. Then Peter noticed John approaching and asked of Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man? How will he die? Will he die in the same way You have just alluded would happen to me?” Jesus then made another statement, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me” (See the full story in Jn. 21.1-22).
When Jesus says, “Let’s cross over to the other side” or “you follow Me” He is not looking for excuses or questions. He is looking for obedience. Immediate and wholehearted.
“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9.62).
“Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever” (Ps. 73.25, 26).
When He says “Follow Me. Follow the Law. Set your heart to follow Me to the end” He is not looking for excuses or questions or explanations or really, any chatter at all. He is reiterating the basis for all of life:
“Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6.10).
And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure; one little Word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still; His Kingdom is forever.
(Martin Luther, 1529)
Jesus states, “Let’s go. Follow Me.” No further questions or excuses needed.
Reflect.
1. Do you ever find yourself making some excuse to the Lord? Such as?
2. How might you be renewed in the Lord each day to cut off such excuses before they arise?
3. What is God calling you to do today, this day, that you might be tempted to excuse yourself from?
Only the disciples had left behind all present goods and followed im through love of learning. He commands them to cross over from temporary things to eternal things, from the earthly to the heaHvenly, from the carnal to the spiritual. Cyril of Alexandria (375-444), Fragment 97
Pray Psalm 31.19-24.
Thank the Lord for the goodness He has laid up for you today as you follow Him into your Personal Mission Field. Seek His courage and strength to follow Him today.
Sing Psalm 31.19-24.
Brother James’ Air: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll not Want
How great the goodness You reserve for those who fear You, LORD,
who rest in You and boldly stand before men in Your Word.
You cover them from plots of men; You shelter them, O LORD!
Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown His steadfast love to me!
In my alarm I cried to Him; He heard my fervent plea!
In fear and dread with You I pled; You heard and rescued me!
O love the LORD, all you, His saints! He keeps us faithfully.
But all who act in sinful pride His wrath shall surely see.
Be strong and let your heart not fret; wait on Him constantly!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column looks at David as a visionary leader. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
