Day 15

Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:26-11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18

Follow Jesus… That’s Easy Right?

Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 10:32

Jesus teaches the disciples, “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher” (24a), suggesting that being a follower of Jesus sounds quite easy—follow Jesus by speaking and acting like the Master. In reality, this is no easy task. Many of the things Jesus mentions here are difficult to understand. He teaches that losing one’s life is to find it, and that He does not come to bring peace, but a sword, and “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Our call is challenging to fulfill. Yet, in spite of our weakness, God is pleased to empower us to bear His love, light, and holiness to the world in our words, character, and deeds.

We recently celebrated the story of three international kings who were led by a star to visit the baby Jesus. By faith we see the presence of God face to face in the revelation, manifestation, or striking appearance of God the Son born for us as a human being in Jesus Christ the Light of the world. Isaiah foretold, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2).

To us Jesus challenges, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10:23). Jesus’ instructions are clear. We, the people of God, are to shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, so that Jesus may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth.

The Rev. James Brzezinski