In the Fulness of Time/Part 43

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The Authority of the King, Matthew 8-10

Authority over Emotional Forces: Testing True Discipleship. 8:18-22

Someone has said that it is discipline and determination, not merely desire, that determines destiny. In this paragraph and Luke 9:57-62, three followers of Christ are confronted by these very standards of true discipleship. They also present somewhat of a microcosm of the nation of Israel at that time, by their lack of decision about following Christ as Messiah/King. All three situations revolve around the word “follow” from akolouthe-o, which literally means “to walk the same road,” and came to refer to those who joined with a leader to cleave steadfastly to him, to conform wholly to the leader’s example in living, and even in dying.

Commitment Without Consideration: The Impulsive Promise. 8:18-20

Matthew 8:18-19 “Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee wherever thou goest.”

The great multitudes had witnessed many healings that evening at the door of Peter’s home and now Jesus apparently wanted some rest, and commanded the disciples to sail across the Sea of Galilee. But before they could leave, three men spoke with Jesus about following Him.

The first man offered unlimited commitment. This is remarkable, especially since he is a “scribe” (grammateus), one who not only copied the Scripture but who also interpreted and taught it. Through the years the scribes added their traditions to the Mosaic Law. Along with the Pharisees they were constantly opposing Christ. Secondly, he recognized Christ as “Teacher,” from didaskalos, which was extraordinarily respectful, since the scribe himself was a teacher of the Law, schooled in rabbinic lore, whereas Christ was thought of as “having never learned” (John 7:15). Finally, he offered to follow, that is, become a faithful disciple no matter where it took him. Is this total commitment, or merely an impulsive promise?

Matthew 8:20 “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

In making this statement Jesus emphasizes two things. First, He wants this scribe to realize the cost of true discipleship. Though Jesus was not necessarily penniless, and could stay with friends in a number of places, yet He was homeless, and His ministry was an itinerant one. Would the scribe be willing to sacrifice the comforts of home in order to follow Jesus? Second, using His title, Son of man, could He be reminding the scribe, whose job it was to copy the Scriptures, that Daniel 7:13-14 pictured Messiah as the Son of man Who is to be granted glory, dominion and an indestructible kingdom in which all people of the world would serve Him? This would constitute a tremendous drawing power to follow Jesus as the fulfillment of this Messianic promise! Would the scribe be willing to assume the responsibility of presenting this itinerant preacher as the Messiah to Israel? We can only hope that he did.

There have always been those who are impulsive and make commitments to the Lord, before they consider all the facts. This may be true of mere professing believers, who walk an aisle in an evangelistic meeting, or in a regular church service, making some kind of public statement that they want to follow Christ as Saviour and Lord, only to have it go no deeper than an emotional outburst as a result of their conscience being stricken by the gospel message. Let it be remembered, however, that there is only one way of salvation from sin, and that is by faith in the work of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection from the dead to provide the only adequate payment for sin (I Corinthians 15:1-8). Any attempt to add personal merit of any kind to help Christ pay for your sin is actually blasphemy!

The other extreme is to have a mere emotional experience without a true comprehension of the Person in whom your faith rests. If there is real trust, it will soon give evidence that it is more than dead faith, but faith which bears fruit.

Now let me speak of another group, this time of true believers, who make some commitment to service, such as missionary work in a foreign country, without counting the cost to himself, or to his family. God wants just as genuine commitment in such cases as He does for salvation itself. Again, it is possible to be in a spiritually charged meeting and make statements which are only forgotten upon reflection and consideration of all the facts and responsibilities. Much better to be sure before you go, than to go, and return in a short while, disillusioned and defeated, having to start all over again. It is difficult to know into which category the scribe can be included. Did He really know Christ as Saviour, and if so, was he ready to do what he said, to follow Him wherever He led? In the fulness of time, we will know, when we see our blessed Lord face to face.

Read Part 44