When Jesus walked on this earth, He chose some men to be His disciples and close friends. He knew each one by looking into their secret hearts and lives and selecting them according to His perfect plans and purposes.
In Luke 5:27 – 28 as well as in Matt. 9:9 we read that Jesus “saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.”
You might wonder WHY Jesus chose a tax collector who was hated by the public, because tax collectors were employed by the Romans to collect taxes from the people, and they often took MORE than was needed, to put extra money into their own pockets.
Jesus saw Matthew’s potential! He called Matthew because Mathew needed Jesus and Jesus also needed Matthew, just like we need Jesus and He also needs us to fulfil His calling upon our lives – a calling which has higher and more noble purposes that we can ever imagine!
My NIV Life Application Bible says – “Jesus gave Matthew a new purpose for his skills. When he followed Jesus, the only tool from his past job that he had was his pen. From the beginning God had made Matthew a record keeper and God would use those skills to record the greatest story ever lived (and told.) Much of what God has for us He gives long before we are able to consciously respond to Him. He trusts us with skills and abilities ahead of schedule. When we trust Him with what He has given us, we begin a life of great adventure.”
What a glorious reality! When Jesus looks at you and at me, He sees us through majestic eyes of wonder, grace, and love. He does not see us as we see ourselves. On the contrary – He sees our potential and what we can become when we are totally dedicated to Him. When Matthew left his job to follow Jesus, He knew there was no turning back. He gave up everything to follow Jesus! Likewise, we too, need to give up anything that might hinder us from fulfilling His purposes for us. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, he knows for certain what He wants us to accomplish for Him and His kingdom and where He wants to take us. All we need to do is to obey and follow Him.
Romans 8:28 – 30 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
Blessed Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing the potential in each one of us. Thank You for knowing us better than we know ourselves and that our lives and times are in Your hands. Please help us to submit to Yourplans and purposes for us which will give us great joy and satisfaction when we surrender totally to You. Grant us willing hearts to follow You no matter what obstacles we might face, because we know that You walk with us and guide us to life everlasting. We love, worship, and praise You!
Myrtle Turunen