Today’s Reading: Matthew 8:18-27
When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.
Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” – Matthew 8:18-22
FOLLOW ME NOW.
When Jesus calls us to do something for him, he is looking for full submission and immediate obedience. Following him is not always comfortable, but it is spiritually rewarding; giving your life to the call is not always easy, but God is faithful to provide for your needs. We may not always have what we want; we may not always get to keep what we have, but Jesus is calling us to accept the cost of following him.
Jesus had instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake, which meant leaving where they were and moving to the next place of ministry. There was no time for hesitation or divided devotion. If they were going to follow the call of Jesus, it required leaving the comfort of the beach and stepping into the boat.
Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” – Matthew 8:23-27
LEARN WHO I AM.
By following Jesus across the lake, the disciples were able to gain perspective of what Jesus was capable of. Their obedience opened their eyes to who Jesus was and what he could do. They had to experience the storm in order to experience the power of Jesus. And once they arrived on the other side of the lake, they had to make a new commitment to remain on this journey of faith.
What does the boat represent for you this morning? What has it looked like for you to follow Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? What did you have to walk away from or give up in order to be fully devoted to Jesus?
What storms have you survived because you were willing to follow the Lord? Remember back to that place of fear and uncertainty. What did Jesus do for you when you were being tossed by the wind and waves? What have you experienced that has allowed you to find a faith that says — my Jesus is able to calm the storm because there is nothing my God cannot do!
IF THE WINDS AND WAVES CAN OBEY HIM, SO CAN I!
As we near Thanksgiving, I pray that all of us are able to look back and celebrate the wonderful life we have experienced because we were willing to leave our old life in order to experience the new. Let’s express our gratitude for the call Jesus has placed on our life and the many ways he has revealed himself to us over the years. May we walk in obedience every day of our lives, always willing to do the next thing Jesus is asking of us. And may God bless you and your family during this season of thankfulness!