How often have you been asked to attend a meeting about some business opportunity? Was it a multi-level program? Did you go? Did you get excited about it? Did you sign up? Did you then go and tell others about it so they could sign up also? Are you an employer or supervisor over one or more other individuals? How important is it that they follow your instructions when they are at work? How valuable is it to you when you find an employee who is committed to obeying your instructions and helping fulfill the company's purpose? How willing are you to follow someone who is in authority over you? How willing are you to choose to follow Jesus over anyone or anything else? Can a military commander accomplish anything if his troops won't follow his commands?   In Matthew 9:9-10; Mark 2:13-15 and Luke 5:27-29, Jesus had just finished preaching by the Sea of Galilee.
 As He was going back into Capernaum, He passes Matthew who is collecting taxes from the people.
 Jesus tells Matthew to follow Him, at which Matthew immediately leaves his table, money and coworkers (fellow tax collectors and Roman soldiers?) and goes off after Jesus! Matthew is willing to follow!   Give Up Income to Follow! - Matthew 9:9a; Mark 2:13-14a; Luke 5:27 Matthew had assuredly heard about Jesus and had probably heard Him preach on more than one occasion.
 However, he would not consider himself a candidate to follow Jesus because of his job, being a tax collector for the Roman government (a despised position).
 He also liked earning all of the money that he was getting from fellow Jews by over-charging them for their taxes.
 However, when Jesus does command him to follow, he asks no questions, does not even hesitate, but leaves the money, the job and everything with it to pursue whatever it is that Jesus has to offer.
 Following Jesus was more valuable than his high-paying job and the power and prestige that it offered.
    We must likewise be so in tune with God that we don't have to think about it, prepare for it or do anything else but obey God's call on our lives.
 There are many people who are making lots of money that are unhappy and unfulfilled.
 Money will not replace the power and peace that we find when we are doing what God has gifted and called us to do! If we are not willing to follow Jesus as our Lord and leader, then what does that say about our "allegiance" to Him? We must be willing to follow!   Don't Question! Just Follow! - Matthew 9:9b; Mark 2:14b; Luke 5:28 Matthew didn't question Jesus about why he should follow Him.
 He simply got up from the tables and walked away.
 He walked away from the income and power that he had as a tax collector.
 He walked away from the protection and relationship with the Roman government.
 But most of all, he obeyed what Jesus instructed him to do and became one of the chosen twelve who were commissioned as Apostles.
  How can God use us if we are not committed to follow? How can any business owner run his business if the employees under him are not willing to obey his instructions? What value are we to God if we claim to be believers but are not willing to leave our sinful past and follow Him completely.
 That doesn't mean that you quit your job (unless you are engaging in destructive, illegal or sinful behavior).
 It does mean that we assess our talents and interests and look for ways to use them to benefit God and others.
  Invite Others to Follow! - Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29 Matthew wasn't satisfied just to follow Jesus.
 He was so excited that he held a banquet and invited his closest friends to come meet the man who had already changed his life.
 He realized that to be called to follow Jesus was a very special privilege and he wanted to celebrate in a way that would allow others the opportunity to have their lives changed (have the burden of their sins and guilt completely removed by Jesus forgiving grace)! When you became a Christian, how excited were you? Did you tell others about your decision? Did you invite others to church or to your house to hear someone present the Gospel to them? What happened to that excitement? What can you do to regain that first love, that passion to share the love and forgiveness that Jesus gives with others? Are you willing to tell them how they can follow?