Father, I am grateful that You are more than able to handle everything this world gives You to deal with. I am grateful although there are literally millions and millions of people and situations clamoring for Your attention, that You are here with me. I don’t have to wait in line. I never have to take a number. An angel has no need to put me on hold when I call. You are always here, by my side, as we walk this journey together. Thank You, Father – I couldn’t do it without You.
Matthew 9:9-13 (<<click the green)
When I read these verses, Lord, I see bookends. At the beginning of verse 9, You call Matthew to follow You as a disciple and at the end of verse 13, You speak of who You have come to call. You call an individual and conclude by clarifying all whom You are calling.
Matthew, the author of this Spirit inspired Gospel, writes of his first interactions with You, Lord. He does not hesitate to label himself as one of many “tax collectors and…disreputable sinners”, for that is what he was. He would by no means have considered himself righteous but knew he was a sinner. (vs13)
Once again the Amplified Bible fleshes out the end of verse 13 a little more, “I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”
Graciously I was raised in a Christian home and though that may have given me an outward appearance of righteousness, to some degree, true righteousness was not mine until I acknowledged my own sin and sought forgiveness
Jesus called me from sin and then called me to service, first as his disciple and eventually into ministry, proclaiming His message to all that would hear. Oh, that they would heed his call. Amen.
Mar 6th, 2018, Tues, 6:24 am
