FOLLOW JESUS SO THAT HE MAY GIVE YOU REST

⏰Friday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time 1 (07 July 2017)

????Gen 23:1-4, 19, 24:1-8, 62-67; Ps 106:1b-2, 3-4ab, 4c-5 (R.v.1b); Matt 9:9-13

In Gen 12:1ff, God asked Abraham to leave his people and his country and move to a place he would show him. In other words, he was asked to leave his old life in which he has been comfortable and making a living from. He was not sure of where God was leading him to but he followed God without doubt. The result of that and other faithful actions of Abraham was that God blessed him and provided for him in all his needs.

Today, we read about the death of Abraham’s wife, Sarah. This was so painful to Isaac but when God is the leader, our story would always end in joy and victory. So, God stepped in, and with Rebekah agreeing to come and become Issac’s wife, his joy was restored and he “was comforted after his mother’s death” (Gen 24:67).

With that in mind, it is not surprising why Matthew left everything to follow Jesus when he called on him. Among the Jews, people like Matthew are considered public sinners. But obviously, this identity meant nothing to him insofar as so much money gets into his pocket. However, he was surely not at peace.

It is important that you do a little introspection about yourself now just as I’m doing so about myself. Are you living a genuine life that is rooted in God? Is there anything about your life that is filthy before God even if it brings so much power and wealth for you? Jesus wants to clean you up and place you on a better ground where you can have everything good with great peace.

Are you going to give him a chance to lift you up? Matthew just made an important decision and took an important step of faith to follow. I am going to follow him too. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by and it shall be well with you.

Peace be with you!