Whithersoever

 N.T. #89 "Whithersoever"

June 12, 2023

Matthew 8-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Talk is cheap. Some people are running off at the mouth. Shallow words, no action. That seems to be the case of the 4 groups encountering Jesus with a desire to follow Him.

1. First was the crowd gathered around Jesus. They were curious, in awe at His teachings, saw Him as unique.  However, Jesus was not interested in numbers for followers who were shallow spiritually, but desired making disciples for the Kingdom of God.
2. Secondly, the scribe who sounded spiritual, a Bible scholar with skill and intellect, and a high social ranking man thought he desired to follow Jesus full time. Yet, did he really think he could survive with a group of ragtag band or scruffy looking fishermen?
3. Another follower wanted to follow Jesus on his own terms. He desired to go bury his father first. Maybe he had to settle his father's estate, or perhaps the father had not even died yet. There is no raincheck in following Jesus, but today.
4. Finally, the last group was actual disciples who thought they would die, those closest to Jesus. They were the real thing, those who got into the boat with Jesus. Yep, they were keepers. 

We don't know what happened to most of the crowd, or to the scribe, or to the man who wanted to go home to daddy. We do know that the disciples encountered a testing storm while sailing across the Sea of Galilee. They were headed to Capernaum, about 10 miles by boat, which would only take a couple of hours by boat. Jesus took the opportunity to get some much-needed rest. (verse 14) We will leave them there today.

Which group of desired followers do we fall into? Do we leave Jesus when it becomes inconvenient, not fun, or not easy? We need to get into the boat of God's will for us, know that Jesus is there beside us, and will get us through whatever.

Whitersoever means an indefiniteness or uncertainty; when; where; at whichever spot; in what place. 

Can we say whitersoever you lead, Lord Jesus, I will go and share Your love and Word? It takes faith and surrender of our will to do this. But what blessings flow when we get where Jesus wants us to serve Him, and in what way!

LET IT GROW

Swindoll's Living Insight on Matthew gives us some insights into these excuses:

• Don't follow Jesus because of the size of the crowd. Guard against becoming a "groupie" of a church, a ministry, or a celebrity preacher or teacher. Steer clear of becoming a "fan."
• Don't follow Jesus full of yourself. Don't be a person with lots of words nor who's short on humility.
• Don't follow Jesus with reservations or with a hidden agenda. A call to follow Jesus is a call to urgency. 
• Don't follow Jesus if you fear storms of life more than you fear the Lord of life. There is not situation-natural or supernatural-that Jesus can't handle. 

Stick with Jesus for the adventure of your life! 

LET IT GO

Help me let go of comfort, low risk, posh, and we be willing to follow You Jesus wherever, whenever, and whatever.