Humbly Follow the Teacher

 

~~~ Genesis 18:16-33 ~~~ Psalm 103 ~~~ Matthew 8:18-22 ~~~

 

Yesterday we heard Luke's account of the same message we read today.

The scripture reference to follow Jesus.

 

Jesus crosses to the other side of the lake...

what do you think may be the significance is about the other side of the lake?

The crowd was growing larger...perhaps he was in fear for his safety.

Perhaps he thought it would be easier for the crowd

to see him better from the other side.

 

It is a scribe who addresses Jesus as 'teacher'.

This scribe wants to commit to follow Jesus.

 He is an unlikely candidate to be following Jesus.

 

In Biblical times the scribes were the teachers.

They were the ones who were the most educated.

They were often seen as being elevated above others.

They could write, which also made them command respect.

 

The scribes were THE teachers because

they were among the few would could read and write.

The people looked to the scribes to teach them about the laws of Moses.

Because he could write, the scribes preformed a useful function

within the community.

If you needed something to be written,

a scribe could do it for you.

 

A scribe approached and said to him,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

 

This proclamation, coming from a scribe, was huge.

He was placing Jesus higher than himself.

This was his own choice.

 

How many times do we want to place ourselves

 higher than those around us?

How many times do we judge ourselves to be the better person?

 

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

 

Following Jesus gives you countless reasons

to Bless the Lord.

How can we begin to thank him for all he has done for us?

The best we can give back to our Lord

is to respond be spreading his love and mercy to those

we meet along the path.

 

If a scribe can decide to follow Jesus then so can you.

Blessings come through sending his love forward.