Matthew 8:18-22
Rebecca Lightfoot
N Matthew8:18-22,Jesus addresses 2 different people,with 2 different “ideas” about following Christ!The 1st is a scribe who wants 2 follow Jesus because of what he believes it will “mean” for him!This scribe believed that Jesus had come 2 set up His Kingdom,& he wanted 2 b a “part of” that...he wanted to “ride the wave” of Jesus’ rise to power;he wanted his ideas of the “benefits/blessings” of being a follower of Jesus!Jesus’ response is letting the scribe know that his “ideas”of what following Jesus would mean FOR him were far from the Truth!In fact,Jesus let him know that following Him would mean letting go of his “life plans” 4 worldly success & social graces;that his “thinking” was wrong - that following Jesus would not necessarily b worldly “beneficial” for him-but truly following Jesus would mean so much more!This probably turned the scribe’s life paradigm upside down!The 2nd person was actually 1 of his followers who was struggling w “religious traditions”!Jesus was not telling him/her 2 disrespect their father!Jesus was addressing this persons struggle w what “traditions” led him/her 2 do,& what truly following Jesus would mean!There were religious traditions this person was struggling with-beliefs about how a person lived if they were 2 b accepted by “church standards”.This person had become faithful 2 “church standards”,& drifted from being faithful 2 God & His Word.Traditions had displaced the relationship God desired 2 have.Jesus is telling this disciple that truly following Him would mean addressing preconceived notions about being “religious”,& seeking a personal relationship w Jesus!In essence Jesus says,”Follow me”,& do not let preconceived religious notions mislead you.Both of these people were being “held back” from what Jesus desires for each to have-from the genuinely abundant life that The Lord desires for us.Both r being “held back” by wrong paradigms of what will bring them the most joy&fulfillment n life!Joy&Fulfillment that has the abundance of being everlasting/eternal!Jesus is calling these 2 people(& me)to much more than what they(or I) “want”!Jesus talks about this n John10:7-10,”Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers,but the sheep did not hear them.I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly!””.Jesus tells us that we do have an enemy that comes to us,to steal from us by using wrong ideas about life and wrong ideas about what following Christ actually means for us!Jesus encourages us 2 come to Him & turn loose of our worldly & religious notions that r not only incorrect,but seeking to “steal life” from us.Jesus is calling the 2 n Matthew8:18-22(&me)to a more abundant life than what any of their worldly aspirations could ever bring.And calling them(&me)away from the piety of religious traditions so they(&I) can know the freedom&the blessings of knowing His Grace&Mercies personally!Dear Lord! I know that my life is contaminated every day w wrong ideas about life,& about You!I pray that I may b drawn 2 Your Word & Your Spirit n ways which not only correct my wrong ideas about life &You...may I also appreciate the LIFE MORE ABUNDANT that You desire for me!