Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Daily - 11/18/08

Matthew 9:9-13

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

12 He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Look at Christ’s invitation in verse 9 – “Follow me.” This is the invitation to us all, and it really is very simple. We are simply to follow Christ. We are to put aside the anxieties of the world, and stop doing the things that separate us from Him, and just follow Him. Imagine what life would be like to be continuously following Him … to remain always in Him. Check out the parable of the vine and the branches (John 15) for that image.