“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him” Matthew 9:9
I just watched a shot video of ‘The Chosen’ invitations. Each time in the show which jesus called a disciple to follow Him.
Why would Jesus call such men? Matthew stands out because of his choice of career. He was a tax collector. Evil, the top sinner in the eyes of the Jews of the day. Then, there’s Simon’s reaction. He knew before Whom he stood and rightfully fell to his knees.
“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” “ Luke 5:8
I sit here confused and humbled as I write this post.
“Lord, do you know who I am? What I’ve done? You don’t want me.” And, I hear the voice of Jesus say to me, “Yes. I know you. I knew you before you were, and I know all you’ve done and will do. And, My son, I do want you most of all. I have called you to be My disciple of mercy not because you are perfect but precisely because of what you have and will do. I trust you always to draw upon the fountain of My Mercy no matter what fall you will experience. Yes, even that one. I call you because you trust My Divine Mercy and beg of my mercy with such sorrow for your sin . Yes, I do know who you are. You are MY son.”
I sit here in the darkness and cry. Not in sorrow of my sin, but in joy that despite my sins, Jesus wants me to be His voice. Yes, He even knows me and what I’ve done. Yet, He still wants me.
Have you ever had this conversation with Jesus? ‘Me? //looking perplexed you point at yourself// Me?’
Jesus does know what you’ve done. More so, Jesus came to earth because He knows what you’d do. He came to give you teaching to change your life but climbed upon the cross, after being lashed horribly. He stretched out His Holy hands to be nailed to the cross looking across time, into your eyes. The same hands that had stretched out over the formless land to create water and land and light. He was raised up on that cross and begged the Father to hold back His wrath because of His love for YOU.
And, now, has He called you to follow Him? Yes! Yes, fall on your knees in humility before God, before His summons. But, answer as did Simon, Matthew, Isaiah and all the others when Jesus asks you to follow Him.
“Yes, Lord!”
And, go, trusting the God knows YOU. And, wants you to be with Him, despite of you sins, despite of THAT sin.
Remember, God chooses who He chooses.
Give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day to the One deserving of all our thanks.