“Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to enter under my roof; for that reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You” Luke 7:6-7
Too many souls, maybe even most would lower their eyes in shame if Jesus approached them today. Tears rolling down their faces as they feel the shame of what was. Unworthy to even look up as Jesus approaches. One of my favorite scenes in The Chosen is the calling of Simon. His response would be that of so many souls, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)
Jesus knows your past better than you do. He knows all your sins, the lies and the masks you’ve worn to hide your dark side from the world. That knowledge didn’t stop Jesus from approaching Simon or Matthew. In fact, it would seem that this is the person Jesus prefers to approach. Who’s that? The soul who needs Him most.
Jesus boldly walks calls the man with the withered hand, Zacchaeus and Judas (Judas not only had a past but a future). Jesus doesn’t hesitate to approach and call you.
As I see this moment in your life, I see Jesus making a simple demand, “Look up, follow Me.”
Jesus doesn’t expect nor does He look for the perfect disciple. He looks for the broken and lost. The black sheep wondering if they could be loved if anyone knew what they had done.
Yes, fall to your knees when you see Jesus approaching – He is God. But, know with confidence that He approaches you as the King of Mercy. When He comes to you and tells you to raise your eyes, do so without shame or fear, for He has wiped away all your tears. He knows you and calls you.
Be ready though. When Jesus comes to you, He will wipe away all you’ve been and make you what you aren’t. But, what you’re meant to be.
An apostolic saint.
“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” Matthew 4:18-22
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.” Matthew 9:9