Matthew 8:18-27  As Jesus prepares to leave the area He is approached by several men. The first one is a scribe, perhaps a public servant or a secretary.. or a religious teacher. "Teacher, I will follow you wherever You go." the man pledged.  But, Jesus saw something in this man that would hinder that decision.. "the foxes have holes and the birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head." He replied.  Would this man be able to lay it all down to truly follow Jesus?  

The second man wants to follow Jesus, but he also has something that hinders him.. "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." (v21)   Jesus gives this man another opportunity to make a choice.. " Follow Me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead." 

We don't know if either of these men ended up disciples of Jesus.. 

Would we?  Would we choose to surrender our jobs and homes and security?  Would we.. do we?

Jesus and the 12 got into the boat and began crossing the lake. We know the story.. the wind picked up, the storm was really, really bad.. even the fishermen were worried.. but Jesus was sleeping.  They did wake Him up and call upon Him.. not knowing what else to do.. "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."  They did have faith.. a little faith..  that He could help.. but they did not know what He would do.. "Why are you timid, you men of little faith?

Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea and it became calm.  It wasn't what they expected.. but it was certainly what they needed! "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" 

Are we timid? Fearful? Afraid to ask for what we really need? Oh for faith that asks and receives.. that seeks and finds.. that knocks and finds the door opening! 

Father, may we be the disciples that get in the boat.. that trust the Savior who can calm the storms.. that leave behind all the things that keep up from following Jesus all the way.. even to the cross. Thank You for  showing us such grace and love.. patiently drawing us deeper with You.  Let the name of Jesus be glorified in our lives today as we choose to follow Him…. we pray in His holy Name.  Amen.