In The Holiday Spirit

My office is cleaned up and rearranged. I live in an area where 60 degree temps in December are not that unusual. I have a wife who loves me unconditionally and a dog that thinks I am wonderful. Plus, Santa Claus is coming to town. How could I be anything other than in the Holiday Spirit?

This month I am reading the Gospels again. I am just about finished with Matthew. Of course, I am having new insight on passages that may have slipped by me in previous readings. So it is fun.

My wife and I were talking the other night about some of what I have been reading and we began discussing the disciples. Their selection (not election) was a rather odd experience. Jesus simply saw them and said, "Come and follow me," and they basically dropped everything to follow him. Of course, there may have been something that transpired before Jesus spoke those words, but not one of the Gospel writers gives us a hint of that. Jesus said, "come" and they came.

Naturally, it took quite some time for the disciples to settle in their minds that they were indeed following the Messiah. That being the case, what in the world prompted them to drop everything and follow this unknown man. If you or I did that today, or a friend of ours, it would be viewed as an act of an unstable mind. In fact, if one of our children were to do something similar, we would call it "cultish".

Different culture and a different time, I suppose is the primary answer. We have no other indication. Not even Matthew, one of the twelve, tells us he was "lead by the spirit" or a "voice from heaven spoke to him saying 'follow this man' you won't be disappointed."

During the Christmas Season, I wonder how many people will encounter the Christ and hear him say, "Come, follow me." Then, without any question or delay, simply say, "yes!"

Would we make them go back and walk down the "Roman road" to make sure they did it the right way?  Would we ask them if they said anything other than "yes" - since it is a fact one must include the "sinner's prayer" in order for salvation to be effective. Or will we simply say - "Great! Welcome to the family." Then begin to nurture them in their new faith relationship.

What a wonderful time Christmas is. What a wonderful gift we have in Christ.

Merry Christmas!