Plod on Pilgrim

Tax collectors were not held in high regard by the people of Jesus' day.  There was too much opportunity to take more than law allowed.   If people questioned the wisdom of Jesus  calling Matthew, the tax collector, to be one of His disciples, it would be understandable.  More than one time Jesus was criticized for spending time with tax collectors and sinners.  But, of course, He did not just spend time with them, He called one to be a part of His intimate circle of twelve.    

The ninth chapter of Matthew records this calling moment of the author of gospel which bears his name.   "Jesus...saw a man called Matthew...and He said to him, 'Follow me."  And he got up and followed him."  (Matthew 9:9)    It does not seem like a moment filled with debate on the part of the tax collector.  The language of his response speaks of a man who quickly made a decision to put aside what gave him security for a life empty of anything which would remind him of those days of plenty.  He moved from one lifestyle to another without hardly pausing for a breath of reflection and thought.  Jesus called, and like Abram, he got up and went even though he knew not where it was that he was going.    

Too many times we come to that moment of hearing Jesus speaking to us about a different way to live with a calculating spirit instead of an abandoning spirit.  Even though the Word warns us about the danger in counting the cost, there is within us in that moment of beginning thoughts about the cost of going.  We want God to be logical, practical, and Someone who shows good old fashioned common sense, but instead we soon find out as we walk for a spell with Him that He is unpredictable, full of surprises, and not afraid to lead us into danger.  It is no wonder that many of those who are called decide on another road after they have gone not too far down the road.  Plod on pilgrim.  Stay on the road.  Follow Him.  The road takes us Home.