August 1, 2012
“Strolling along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” He came.” Mark 2:14 The Message
No one wanted him. And truthfully, no one really wanted to be his friend … except other outcasts. He would never be accepted in religious circles. Some would say that he was outside of God’s love and could never get in on God’s promises. Then Jesus crosses all the invisible barriers and invites him to join his group. Nothing would ever be the same. He didn’t earn his way in. He didn’t know the right people. He had to wonder why Jesus would risk his reputation to even be seen with him. And this is true about you. It doesn’t what you’ve done or what you are doing now. It doesn’t matter who you know or don’t know. It doesn’t matter to Jesus where he finds you. His question is 2000 years old: “Come along with me.” . His invitation is always at that place or spot in you that no knows about because you’ve hidden it. Except Jesus sees it clearly and wants you to join him and discover that It is in His life that you will find wholeness .. healing .. and an unbreakable identity as one of Jesus’ followers. “Come along with me….” . Will you? It only takes a moment …
“Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers.” Mark 2:15 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Unlikely Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)