What Following Implies!

In the early stages of Jesus’ ministry, He choose twelve men whom He would disciple and designate to be Apostles ( Mark 3:14) to carry on the mission of reaching the lost. When Jesus began calling these, note the choice made by the first ones called.

At the calling of Simon (Peter) and Andrew…
“And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” ( Mark 1:18 ESV)

At the calling of James and John…
“And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” ( Mark 1:20 ESV)

At the calling of Levi (also called Matthew)….
“And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.” ( Luke 5:28 ESV)

I chose to not highlight anything in these verses as I normally do, but did you note the similar movement that took place in the lives of these first five disciples? What did they have to do in order to follow Jesus? They each LEFT something behind. Peter and Andrew immediately “LEFT their nets”, leaving behind what had been their life and occupation. James and John “LEFT their father” in the boat, leaving behind the family business of which they had been a part. Matthew LEFT his lucrative tax business behind to follow Jesus. Such is not always an easy thing to do. (i.e. Mark 10:21-22)

Remember the encouragement Jesus gave the disciples when they acknowledged what they had LEFT behind.

“(29) And he said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has LEFT house or wife or brothers or parents or children, FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, (30) who will not RECEIVE MANY TIMES MORE IN THIS TIME, AND IN THE AGE TO COME ETERNAL LIFE.’” ( Luke 18:29-30 ESV)

In the discipleship process, the four (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) who had been fishermen learned the greater value of fishing for men while Matthew learned what real wealth there was to gain in Christ. Such lessons and others are ours to learn more fully as well. What we receive in our walk with Jesus should be seen as worth having LEFT behind whatever we did when we accepted the invitation to follow Him. It is something Paul recognized ( Philippians 3:7-8) as he pressed on in Christ. Is there something we have refused to leave behind that is hindering our following Jesus? Because of the willingness of the first disciples, God was able to use them in dynamic ways as the church began to grow. May we also be willing to follow in such a way so that God can use us as He sees fit.

Have a great day LEARNING THE GREATER VALUE OF BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS!
Carl

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