Today's passage talks about when Jesus first called out to Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to come and follow him to become the first of his disciples. As I read this passage, I thought it was amazing how they simply left everything they had and knew and followed him, a complete stranger, without any hesitation. It doesn't say that Jesus had to persuade or bribe them with the "riches of Heaven" or outlandish promises but he simply said to them, "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (vs. 19). And they dropped everything: their fishing nets and left their boats, which was their livelihood, and their families. I mean James and John left their father right there on the boat and I'm sure they all probably had wives and kids who needed them too. But despite all this, they choose to follow Jesus, when he called out to them without any hesitations, doubts, or second thoughts about it.
It takes so much for me to even believe and trust in any of the promises Christ made. Even though I know in my mind that His way is the right way or that He will do what is best for me in the long run, I still have trouble to listening, obeying and following Him and His commands. I wonder if it is my lack of faith or the distractions this world gives that hinders me in following him. What was it about Jesus that made the first disciples choose to immediately leave all the comforts of their lives to follow Him when he called out to them? What would you do if you were put into that situation and Jesus called out to you to come follow him?
I mean He does this everyday through the Word but are we willing to laid down everything, step out of our comfort zones, and choose to walk the path that we all know will be hard but worth it in the end. In all truths, I know I should but there is something that always holds me back from doing this. I don't know what it is but I wish that I could do what the disciples did and follow Jesus without any second thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Thanks for your honest reflection Michelle. I know that this passage challenges me to examine my faith. I'm not sure why I cannot do the same as these disciples. I am thinking back to our bible study on Sunday and the power of God unto salvation that we discussed. If I can't drop everything and follow Him, I may have yet to experience this life changing power.
thanks, michelle, for an honest and heartfelt reflection. i don't suppose there is anyone who will read what you have written and not feel some kinship with you.
i'm not quite sure how peter, andrew, james, and john recognized who Jesus was and were able to drop everything to follow Him.
but i think the passage shows,
(mind you, in a very accelerated fashion), that the call to discipleship is effectual,
which means that it is irresistable to the ones who really hear it.
i was also struck by the fact that the passage calls into question the ownership of things. what exactly do we own in this world?
everything in this world has been given to us by God, everything. He is the Rightful Owner of everything in our lives.
the trouble is, we begin assuming that the nets, the boats, and whatever else in our lives are ours. that's why we have trouble letting go of our stuff and following Him.
He has every right to ask us to do whatever. the problem is, most of us go right on doing what we want to do. and then we wonder why the Christian life is so hard to live.
"what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?"
peter, andrew, james, and john somehow recognized in those moments that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.
they saw that following Him wholeheartedly was the only life worth living.
they were the smart ones. in leaving everything, they gained eternal life and the whole world besides.
i have been privileged to see how God equips and provides for those He calls. missionary kids and pastors wives know this better... that it is not easy but that they are blessed with a special blessing!
i am happy that God does not ask me to africa or some exotic place... i know i don't have that kind of trust/faith. but Jesus does call us to obey him daily in the small things of everyday life... for now this is our mission field.
these passages causes me to be humble... may God increase our faith!
Michelle, everything you said is true. They just knew Jesus for couple minutes and they left everything behind, their whole life...but for me is still hard..even knowing Him for long time. Everyday we have to make a decision to lay down our own rights to follow Jesus.
Michelle, I couldn't agree with you anymore. If Jesus were to approach me the way He had approached the fishermen, I wonder if I would have been able to drop everything and follow after Him. And I know at this point in my life, there are still so many things of this world that I am holding onto. May it be tangible or non-tangible, I am still holding on.
I see why it is imperative to be in daily communion with God. Everyday we are facing a new battle or temptation that we can not overcome without the grace and power of God. As Fabian stated, it is a daily conscious effort to follow after Jesus..not just a decision we make.
Great post Michelle:)
You're right. I cannot be sure I would follow him giving up everything I have. But what we're holding is actually all from God so we cannot complain however he takes them from us.
Thankful that I'm not tested in that hard way.
Post a Comment