Do you remember the basketball game Horse? One player takes a shot (usually some sort of trick shot), and if he or she makes it, those who follow must make the same shot. If they miss, they get a letter, beginning with “H.” If you eventually get “HORSE,” you’re out. I rarely won at Horse. When the pressure was on, I didn’t always succeed at making the shot I was supposed to imitate, sometimes even if it was a relatively easy shot. (If you’re a Milwaukee Bucks fan, think of Giannis shooting free throws.) 

As you listen to this weekend’s Gospel reading from Matthew 4, you will hear Jesus calling individuals to follow Him. One of them was Simon Peter. He and brother Andrew left their fishing nets and followed Jesus who instructed them on life in the Kingdom and walking in the way of the Lord. From what you know of Simon Peter, if following Jesus were like a game of Horse with Jesus making a shot (showing them how to act) and Peter was the one who had to imitate that (live exactly as Jesus instructed), would Peter win that game? No. Neither would I. 

Which is why it is so important to keep in mind that following Jesus is much more than trying to imitate Him so we can earn a spot in heaven. Following Jesus begins with repentance, realizing that if we aren’t following Him, we need to stop what we’re doing and pray that, in His mercy, He would forgive us and place us back on His road. And while we’re on that road, we learn from Him not only how we are to live, but also How He lived, and died, for us that we might be the forgiven, redeemed children of God. As we think about that and grow in our appreciation of that, how we think and act becomes more important to us. Are we seeking to imitate Christ out of love and gratitude? Are we learning from Him what it means to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves? And are we putting that learning into practice, as imperfect as we may be, realizing that following Jesus is not a game to lose, but a lifestyle to enjoy? 

“O Christ, who called the Twelve To rise and follow You, Forsaking old, familiar ways For ventures bold and new: Grant us to hear Your call To risk security And, bound in heart and will to You, Find perfect liberty.” (Lutheran Service Book #856, v. 1) 

This weekend’s readings: Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, and Matthew 4:12-25