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Read: Matthew 9:9
Listen: Matthew 9

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9.

Matthew likely is set for life. His tax collector’s job may have provided a nice house, plenty of money and protection given by the powerful Romans. Even though his fellow Jews consider him a traitor, he could be living large. Tax collectors could skim off the top and collect extra from their people. When Matthew responds to the call of Jesus and decides to follow him, he leaves behind much of his past. He leaves his security, the protection of the Roman military, his job and, as a result, his wealth. Yet, Jesus invites him to follow before Matthew leaves the booth. Jesus makes the first move to call people to salvation and follow him.

In much the same way, Jesus makes the first move to bring us to himself. God always makes the first move, and that first move is grace. We don’t have to get our life together so that God will be impressed and ask us to follow him. Jesus first offers forgiveness and an invitation to follow. He already loves us and gave his life for us. But when we move from a fan to a follower, we must respond as Matthew does. We leave things behind instead of asking what we can take with us.

TODAY: Identify what you need to leave behind. What keeps you from fully following Jesus? It could be an attitude, a behavior or some values. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you and confess it to him. Accept the forgiveness he offers and then rely on the strength of the Spirit to resist the temptation to pick it up again.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Ezekiel 31-32. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Observe the warnings to powerful nations. Consider how Jesus teaches that true greatness comes through humility and service (Matthew 20:25-28).