The question is, if Jesus were around today would i give up my job, house, car and all my possessions or would i be too comfortable with what i have and ignore it (the story of the seed springs to mind). In todays society perhaps it more about being prepared to stand up and say i believe in Him! Its difficult to answer when we are rarely put in that position, but I pray God may give me the opportunity to show that I believe and follow him through my thoughts, words, and actions and when the time comes i may not be found to be lacking.

The other disciples probably weren’t too happy at this point!  Something that occured to me recently was - I work with the sort of person I would probably edge away from if I met him at a party, but we have to work together, so we get on with doing so - and actually get on quite well.  If we don’t expect our brothers and sisters in churches to be instantly loveable, or people who we totally agree with, but someone we have to work with - we may find we have more in common than we think!

It may seem quite a daunting task to choose to follow Jesus, because most people feel inadequate or unable to reach the expectations of Jesus.  However, the first step is simply to say in your heart, “Yes, I will follow you”, and then the Holy Spirit will guide you and give you strength to take a journey you could never imagine.

This shows that Jesus chooses those he sees have something to offer for his purposes. We may not see what talents we have that He needs, but he knows us so well. We have to trust in Him. When he calls, the only thing to do is to follow him.

I find this so challenging, Jesus just said “Follow me” and Levi did. I wonder what Jesus might ask of us today, and I wonder how quickly I will.

How radical is that? Jesus chose social outcasts to be the leaders - not just the followers. As Peter learned in his visin on the roof , what matters is not whether someone has followed the law to the letter, byr whethet the Holy Spirit has come upon them. Radical inclusive stuff!

What do we have to leave behind to follow Jesus? Among other things, a judgemental attitude to other followers. I can imagine some of the other disciples didn’t much like having Levi along with them. But that had to learn to get along with him and work with him. That’s a powerful message for a church that is in imminent danger of splitting over things that are not central to the Gospel.

How much of our cultural and historical baggage to we have to leave behind? And what is essential to retain? Something to think about today.
Who will I accept today in Christ’s name?