A man bent over a parchment studies the ink stains that can never be wiped away, and knows that in his neighbours’ eyes he is exactly such a stain. Told in the voice of Matthew, the tax collector from Capernaum, this sermon leads to the moment when Jesus stops at his toll table and says only, “follow me” (Matthew 9). Along the way comes a hard question: why do people rejoice more over a healed body than over a repentant sinner? Listen if you have ever felt that your past has closed the road to God.
Follow Me
Like Jesus
When children are young, they learn by observing the behavior of adults. Teenagers have their own idols whom they admire and try to emulate. Even adults seek out role models who inspire them and whose views they follow. However, in this world where everyone follows someone, Jesus’ invitation remains as relevant as ever: “Follow Me and imitate Me.”
This is a call to something more than simply admiring His teaching, drawing inspiration from His views, or even recognizing Him as a moral authority. Following Jesus transforms our entire lives. It means that we choose to be with Jesus, to become like Jesus, and to do what Jesus does.
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9 sermons
