Exclusive...Inclusive

~~~ Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 ~~~ Psalm 50 ~~~ Matthew 8:18-22 ~~~

Two consider their option to follow Jesus. 

They both recognize him as a great teacher,

 but their initial response is different.

When Jesus invites us to follow him; it is not like one 

of those high pressure deals.

Jesus invites, but it is up to each person

 as to how and when they respond.

For some people it may take a lifetime to respond,

others accept the invitation immediately.

Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.

Is it enough simply to follow Jesus?

Is that the only requirement?

Are there any responsibilities for the follower?

If we only follow we are just like the sheep in the field.

Just following does not necessarily imply accepting the responsibility

Only our words and actions give evidence of what we believe.

Lord, let me go first and bury my father.

Perhaps this person was more honest.

He wanted to follow, but he had personal issues.

He first needed to find in his heart a way

 to fully commit himself to following Jesus.

Maybe we should not judge him harshly...he was torn between following

 Jesus and leaving his former life behind.

Jesus was not a high pressure salesman.

He extended the opportunity to come with him

 and then he continued moving on toward his mission.

Sometimes we get confused as to where our loyalty truly lies.

Jesus is the only one who really matters, 

but we are heavily influenced by the world in which we live.

The psalm today implies the it takes discipline to follow Jesus.

The discipline to make the right choices.

The discipline to understand that following Jesus

 does not mean you are turning away from your other commitments.

Jesus is all or nothing, 

following him takes precedence over everything else. 

God wants us to put everything in our life under his umbrella.

God covers us with his mercy, love, compassion, and forgiveness.

If we embrace all that is of God we can follow him

without sacrificing the love and needs of our loved ones.

Following Jesus is exclusive and inclusive together at the same time

Blessed to hear the invitation to follow Jesus.

Blessed to see this invitation as both

 exclusive and inclusive.

His invitation to follow is exclusive to you...

following him is inclusive in how we live the message.

~~~Peace~~~