Called by Jesus

Matthew was a traitor to his nation. He worked for the government that empowered Herods to rule over them, providing the Herods with resources extracted from the victims of the imposed government. Jesus invited him to follow Him. He threw away the lucrative job and powerful position and followed Him. He shared his life with us through His writings, offering us life, too.

A ruler who was very rich, whose name was withheld, was desiring life so much that he approached Jesus, bowed to Him in honor, and asked Him what he must do to gain the path to life. Jesus lovingly invited him to follow Him. Part of following Him would be to give away his riches. This answer made him sad, and he refused to accept the invitation. We heard no more from him nor of him.

We are all being called to Jesus and from something else. Matthew’s life was twisted and not honorable. The ruler’s life was a model of living by the Scriptures. It is wise to frequently (at least occasionally) ask the Spirit what else He might want to call us from. Even some things we have already been invited to were simply preparational. He some days wants to call us from our last assignment – to more.