Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
-- Matthew 9:14
-- Matthew 9:14
Leading up to this point, Jesus pushed people's "fear buttons". We all have them - fear of letting go of what's secure, fear of letting go of family, fear of nature, fear of losing the status quo and fear of losing control of your control were the buttons He pushed in the verses leading up to this verse.
The scribe. The guy who wanted to bury his father first. The disciples on the stormy lake. The people herding pigs. And lastly the Pharisees from whom Jesus stole their power to hold unforgiveness over sinners.
But to those who had nothing to lose but their own lives in the universe of love from the Son of Man, fear was irrelevant. Such was the situation of Matthew the tax collector - the one who took money "legally" from Jewish subjects. The one who was reviled by all save other sinners. In fact, he quite celebrated over the idea that Jesus would ask him to follow Him.
Matthew and the disciples had not "made the grade" to become a scribe or a teacher of the law. Rather, these were regular men of mortal dirt who were simply getting by, making a living the best they knew how. And then Jesus called. And then they followed. And then their lives were changed forever in the amazing walk with the Son of God.
So allow His loving authority to overcome your fears. You will never be the same.
