Hurry to JesusHastening to Follow the SaviorBy
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A few days ago, I was listening to a local Catholic radio station. The host of the program was a nun named Mother Angelica. She was answering questions from children, and also told the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10).
In essence, it is the story of Jesus encounter with a tax collector who is anxious to get a glimpse of him. The tax collector is very short and in order to see Jesus, he climbs a tree because the crowds are very large. Jesus upon seeing him greets him and invites him to make haste to his side. Also Jesus tells him that he must join Zacchaeus for dinner. Zacchaeus has decided to repent and Jesus declares that salvation has come to his house and that “the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
After I arrived at my destination and turned off the radio, the message to hurry to Jesus lingered in my mind. He asks us to do the same as Zacchaeus to hurry to him. There is a great deal of good that comes from hastening to be with Jesus and following him. But how many times have I stood back and not wanted to follow. I’m afraid the answer is a lot. But in hastening to follow Jesus, salvation does come.
There is eternal salvation, to be sure. But there is another blessing as well. When following Jesus, there is comfort and peace in times of distress. Encouragement when we need someone to urge us on when the pathway is difficult and thorny. And also someone who shares in our joy when something wonderful happens. Truly he does rejoice with us in gladness as well as comfort in sorrow.
In ancient days when the shepherds came to worship the newborn Christ, they came with haste. Zacchaeus also made haste when he left the tree to come down and meet Jesus. Even today, I believe the Jesus calls us to make haste and hurry to follow him. What a wonderful invitation and calling to follow him. I’ve found when I’ve been quick to follow him that my life goes better. It’s not always perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But hurrying to follow dose make a difference.
Eric, thanks again for your help here.
I really love and admire Mother Angelica. I think you were probably hearing a rebroadcast of one of her shows. In 2004, she retired to her convent due to.a couple of strokes. Her TV and radio shows are now classics. I didn’t always agree with her interpretations or politics but she was a delight to watch. From all I can tell, she is still alive and living a life of contemplation.
I will admit to being a slow follower.
Thanks Rex, I hadn’t realized she retired from broadcasting. Come to think of it, they did say it was a “classic” broadcast of Mother Angelica Live. Thanks also for your encouragement and support. Hope you are recovering well.
Love you,
Eric
I don’t follow quickly, and sometimes not at all. I wonder why. Most of the time I think it’s because He wants me to come away from the selfish desires I have. Other times though, I shirk for fear of failing to follow him yet again. As if I can only watch him walk away wishing I was able to follow.
Ross, good insights into yourself. I think I am much the same.
Hi Ross, thanks for your comment and your insight. I think with rare exceptions, all of us have difficulty following at times, let alone hastening. I know I do. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.