TUESDAY, November 30 Saint Andrew

Matthew 4:18-22. And he said to them, “Follow me.”

After you have repented, turned away from whatever consumes and fascinates and confines and controls you, and turned toward the Lord Jesus, then what? “Follow me.”

Jesus’ words are few, simple, and direct. It is not complicated. My mother-in-law, a woman of profound but clear and simple faith, said that no one was ever converted after the first seven minutes of any sermon; therefore no sermon should last more than seven minutes. How often we complicate the call of Jesus with our intellectual constructions and behavioral rules! Jesus sums it up in just two words: “Follow me.” There is little more to say after that. Repent, then follow Jesus.

Karl Barth, whom many say was the greatest Christian theologian of the twentieth century and whose published works fill several shelves in any good theological library, was interviewed as he departed the United States for his native Germany. Would he, could he sum up his theology in a few words? “Why, yes,” he replied. “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

Follow Jesus. (2002)

PRAY for the Diocese of Kinkizi (Uganda)

Ps 19; Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 10:8b-18; Matthew 4:18-22

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Jesus love me ......for the Bible tells me so

Nov 30, 2010 at 5:56 am

Written by Chris,

Clear and simple faith! Wow, how many times I have sung these words as a child and then as a children's choir leader, and not realized it's simplicity and clarity.

Simple not Simplistic

Nov 30, 2010 at 6:29 am

Written by Stephen,

I have heard good and bad (in my opinion) sermons both long and short. I have heard some short and incomplete leaving you wanting more to chew on, some with to many stories to keep track of leaving you glad it's over with. I have even heard one from a visiting Priest that was so disfunctional and strange that the returning priest offered his apologies (and the Bishop's) on the following Sunday because he ruined the service. Sometimes I think we depend too much on the Priest and don't do our own foot work.

It ain't the sermon

Nov 30, 2010 at 7:48 am

Written by Craig Hoffman,

No sermon ever converted anyone in my opinion. The holy spirit, working in strange and wonderous ways, converts people to Christ but not a sermon.

FOLLOW ME

Nov 30, 2010 at 8:03 am

Written by Lois,

It should be simple to just simply follow Jesus. Why are there so many barriers within my own mind to do this?

Follow me

Nov 30, 2010 at 9:35 am

Written by Mary Kier,

Lois I have the same question. I picture life as an obstical course that goes in an upward spiral. This Is the path to God. We can't fully see or understand God on earth, even though we see glimpses of him now and then. Those obstacles are a part of life. Like any obstacle course it is there to train, strenghten and develop us spiritually. When we "fall" or sit on the sidelines for a while, well that is part of growing. We eventually brush ourselves off feel remorse for slipping and get back on the course. There are so many things in life that can interfere with our relationship to God. Fortunately God only wants to be with us and as soon as we come back to him he accepts with a loving hearts. Aren't sins just actions that keep us from our relationship with God? And isn't repentance acknowledging your mistake with remorse and askng to be back in the loving arms of God?

Forgive, then Follow Me

Nov 30, 2010 at 9:44 am

Written by Dawn,

The opening paragraph of today's meditation provides an answer to why many of us have trouble following Jesus: we cling to "whatever consumes and fascinates and confines and controls you." An illustration of what "consumes and controls" us is not being able to forgive ourselves or others. We feel hurt by a situation, we want forgiveness and reconciliation, and it doesn't happen. "Don't Forgive Too Soon" by Dennis, Sheila, and Matthew Linn is a wonderful book explaining the five stages of forgiveness. It is short and easy to read. Forgiveness can take a long time.

After we experience real forgiveness from a past hurt(s), then I believe we are ready to follow, or to continue to follow, Jesus.

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