To work my way through college and at other times of my life for extra funds, I worked in the retail business.  Some days were alive with people willing to stand in long lines to purchase what we were selling.  Those very busy days that made my time at work pass quickly, sometimes missing lunch breaks without realizing that I did.  I was too busy to be hungry! That’s not like me! I loved busy days!  I felt accomplished.  I learned much more on a busy day, full of surprises and challenges, that on a “dead” day did not teach.  It is interesting that in the business world at the end of day, in our reporting, we describe business as “alive or dead.” 

Dead days are times of merely passing the time with nonessential activity that doesn’t really matter to the people we served.  As employees, we look for things to do to justify our pay or we might be sent home.  Hourly people don’t get a wage for going home!  We would clean and reorganize our work spaces for no apparent reason other than to look busy on a dead day of business.  (Kind of like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!)

Jesus stops on a very busy, alive day of serving people to make a strong point about how we go about the business of living.  Listen in as He gives a new perspective to those who think they want to follow Him…

Matthew 8:18-22, The Message

Your Business Is Life, Not Death

^18-19 When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said.

²⁰ Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”

²¹ Another follower said, “Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father’s funeral to take care of.”

²² Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

FIRST GOD.  God created us in our mother’s womb.  He knew us before we were formed.  He gave us life.  (Psalm 139)  Jesus provided the Way to spiritual Life eternal through rebirth in Kingdom of God thinking and behaving.  God sent Jesus to secure our life eternal with all who believe.  (John 3:16)

So then, who we are and what we do in between rebirth and eternal life matters to God! What does our “business of living” look like?  Is it alive or dead? 

Jesus says life depends on who you seek first, listen to and then decide to follow at all costs—before doing anything of significance each day. God brings life.  Jesus IS Life.  Anything else brings dead living, just marking time, merely keeping busy to look busy to others, until you physically die.  Well, that’s no way to live, says Jesus!

GO TELL.  Jesus will share with us the “end game” of the business of living at the end of Matthew’s reporting.  Here is a glimpse:

“The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

“Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.”  Matthew 28:5-7, MSG

No matter what is occupying your mind, no matter what activity you are involved in at the moment, no matter what your feelings are that distract you—When God shows us; Do what God says.

There’s much more in Matthew but this is enough for now.  

STAY ALIVE.  Seek God first, the rest of life will follow.  Come alive in Christ, Paul writes—

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4, NIV

^“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10, NIV

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, NIV

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ—“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Romans 5:17 Life is a gift from God given while we were still in sin!  What amazing love this is!

“…so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21, NIV

GLORIOUS DAYS ARE ALIVE IN JESUS DAYS!

Sing with me, “Glorious Day” written by Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran—

I was buried beneath my shame

Who could carry that kind of weight

It was my tomb

Till I met You

I was breathing, but not alive

All my failures I tried to hide

It was my tomb

Till I met You

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

Now Your mercy has saved my soul

Now Your freedom is all I know

The old made new

Jesus, when I met You

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

I needed rescue

My sin was heavy

But chains break at the weight of Your glory

I needed shelter

I was an orphan

But You call me a citizen of heaven

When I was broken

You were my healing

Your love is the air that I’m breathing

I have a future

My eyes are open

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day!

Lord,

Thank you for saving my soul, bringing real Life from dead living!

In Jesus Name, Amen