FOLLOWING JESUS

Passage: Matthew 8:18-22

Key verse: 20

NIV

The Cost of Following Jesus(A)

18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.(B) 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man(C) has no place to lay his head.”

21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me,(D) and let the dead bury their own dead.”

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Cost of Following Jesus

18 Now (A)when Jesus saw a crowd around him, (B)he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 (C)And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave (D)the dead to bury their own dead.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. No place, but Christ (18-2

)

God's calling is not a religion one is born into but a decision to walk in the path that he calls one to. For Abraham, it was leaving his hometown to go to the place God would reveal. For Moses, it was to leave the palace life and liberate his people from slavery. Following Jesus is not for the cowardly. It's for those who dare to step out of their comfort zones and risk everything to gain the riches of knowing Christ.

2. Let the dead bury their own (21-22)

There may never be a 'perfect time' to follow Jesus. When Jesus called James and John, they left their father in the boat. The problem many face may be waiting until it is convenient and never really coming out of their shells. Perhaps that is why it is so hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. But nothing is impossible for God. God wants us to follow him and experience more to life.

Prayer: Lord, I am full of excuses and scared to lose earthly comforts and security. Give me faith and courage to follow you wherever you lead.

One Word: Follow Jesus