Follow and Be Welcomed

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

FOLLOW AND BE WELCOMED

Luke 9:10-11

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

When the people found out where Jesus was, they followed him, and he welcomed them all. The first thing we notice here is that when the people found out where Jesus was, they followed him. Is that different from our story? There was a time in our lives when we did not know where Jesus was and, in fact, truth be told, we did not care to know nor did we care to find him, much less follow him. However, then came the day, we heard where Jesus was and where he had been. We were amazed to find out that Jesus was in the heavens in the beginning and that everything that was made was made by Him. We began to understand that Jesus was God who was called the Son of God, and that He came to earth in the form of the man He created, but not as a king, but as an infant and lived a sinless life, redoing what Adam was unable to do. When we found out all about what He did for us, we then began to follow Him. To our amazement, He welcomed us, and he healed us because we needed healing. Perhaps not a physical one, although we have experienced physical healing by Him later in our walk with Him, but at first, He healed our sinful state, forgiving our sins, and cleansing us with His blood, making us holy and pleasing to the Father. It is awesome to know that Jesus has welcomed us into the kingdom of God. It is interesting the Greek word, apodechomai, means to accept or receive or simply to give one access to oneself, which is the case in this verse. He welcomed them, he gave them access to himself. That is what Jesus has done for us as He has given us access to Himself. He has welcomed us into the family of God. When we think about having access to Jesus, it means that all He is, all His power, and authority is available to us, as long as we follow Him, which carries far more than just following. The Greek word, akoloutheoo, means to follow the one who precedes, to join him as his attendant, accompany him. We have followed Jesus through the waters of baptism and we will follow him in death and also in resurrection, and then He is coming back for us so that we can follow him to the place he has prepared for us.