Who are you Following?

Matthew 19:23-30

The request Jesus made of the young rich man, is the same today as then, and for this young man it was his wealth, but for others it is family, friends, jobs, and Jesus makes it clear in verse 29, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”  (Note: Jesus is not referring to salvation, but to being His Disciples, read Luke 14:26-33) 

Have you paid any attention to whom you look to as your leader, and many a proud person will read this and in their heart say, I’m not a follower of anyone, but is it true?  My business life was in corporate America and often you would hear people say he/she picked the right mentor and they are hanging on to their coattails.  Many a young person has put his hope and trust in a coach, or teacher, and often-Christian people follow pastors or teachers.  Have you wondered why we will follow a person like ourselves, and turn down following the King of all Kings?  Could it be we do not see the “WIIFM” (What’s in it for Me) when the Spirit of God calls us to walk away from the things we value? 

Jesus, you know the one we Christians call the Son of God, that Jesus tells us over and over to check closely what we value.  Could it be you and I have values not in keeping with Jesus, could it be the master deceiver has hoodwinked us?  Do you recall Jesus warning us about what we treasure in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

At Oakwood’s Church picnic, Jan and I were asked to serve dessert, and to do so you had to take what was handed to you and cut it into smaller pieces.  You also had to watch everyone else get in the line for brisket and all that goes with it, while you served dessert.  How I wanted brisket, in fact my thinker kept telling me that brisket is better than dessert and everyone knows that is not true.  But that very morning before church God had shown me a great truth found in Matthew 19:30, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”  Not sure if it works with serving dessert and waiting for brisket but this I do understand, it will not play well in a self-serving world, but for all who desire to be light in a world driven by (WIIFM) you will shine bright.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice