The Apex Of Employ.

In yesterday's sermon, Pastor Althea spoke from Matthew 9:9-13. Today, let's reflect on the first verse in the passage.

"As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, 'Follow Me!' And Matthew got up and followed Him." (Matthew 9:9)

Our Lord has the right to interrupt our workday. Jesus did not wait until Matthew was on a break from the tax collection booth; He addressed Matthew as he was seated in his workplace- a place despised by ancient Jews because taxes were collected in service to Rome. There are instances when Jesus chooses to call followers not from the staid, secure community of faith, but from the arenas assumed least likely to produce viable candidates. Matthew, you are sitting in the place of sell-out, but I know your heart. You are worth calling.

Our Lord has the right to intercept our career track. Even as I type this I know that some readers will have a problem with this point, but here is the truth: Our brilliance at a particular task or skill is not sufficient proof that God wants us to spend a lifetime in that task. Take a look at Bronx Bethany's pastoral staff: lawyer, teacher, scientist, business professional, et cetera, all called by God to leave their secure/well-paid/academically appropriate employment in order to proclaim the word of God full-time.

We have to respond immediately to the call. Matthew, according to Scripture, responded to the Lord by getting up from his place of employ and leaving it to follow Christ. There is nothing in the canon that suggests there was a discussion, nor a gap in time, nor hesitation, nor regret. Matthew, by his actions, indicated to Jesus that the answer to the call was yes. Yes, Lord, You have called me and I will walk with You, right now.

The interesting thing about the call of Christ is that the one called is free to say yes or no. Sadly, not everyone was like Matthew. Some, like the rich young ruler, walked away from the call of Christ. Others responded to His call with requests to delay following.

Fast-forward to 2013. Jesus has stopped by your desk, and mine, with a two-word request: "Follow Me." I told Him yes. What is your response?