“And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him.” (Mark 1:18)
Simeon and Andrew were the first disciples that Jesus called. I am always amazed that straightway or immediately these fishermen left their nets to follow Jesus. It was the same with other disciples Jesus called. Matthew and Philip had the same response (Matthew 9:9; John 1:43) They left their jobs, their homes, their families and their lives. Without having to read about it, we know that by now Jesus had a reputation. His baptism had been different. Even if they had not been present, the quick method of mouth-to-mouth communication in those days had surely come to everyone’s ears of the extraordinary baptism where all could hear a voice if not the words that the Father proclaimed over Jesus. John the Baptist testified of Him. “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto Me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:32-34)
The disciples misunderstood the mission of the Messiah. They gave their all because they thought they would be part of a mighty and miraculous rebellion and have victory over the Romans. This had compelled them to follow Jesus. Yes they believed He was the Messiah, the One promised Whom all of Israel had waited for and Who would set up His eternal kingdom. But they were thinking in earthly terms and never completely understood the magnitude of the change that would happen in the world until after the resurrection of Jesus, His ascension to heaven and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There is the request of John and James, the sons of Zebedee. “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto Him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And He said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto Him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto Him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on My right hand and on My left hand is not Mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” (Mark 10:35-40)
After Jesus was crucified, they returned to fishing where Jesus goes to them and shows Himself for the third time after His resurrection. (John 21:1-14) They may have been despondent. After all, their idea of coming against the Romans didn’t materialize. They don’t fully understand yet. We cannot even imagine their disappointment and the questions they might have had. They had seen Jesus resurrected. But now what? Can you imagine their confusion? Then they see Jesus leave them and ascend into heaven. But they still obey Him and wait for the promise of the Comforter.
After their encounter with the rich young ruler, Jesus tells them that it’s hard for the rich to enter heaven, but all things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:24-26) Peter’s response reveals that they have given their all to follow Him. “Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27) We say we are followers of Jesus. Have we forsaken all? Or are we still clinging on to the things of this world? While it’s a difficult task, we deceive ourselves. But the Lord Who is faithful will help us through the Holy Spirit, become more and more like our Lord and help us leave the things of this world. What things could these be? Could we leave our families, parents or children to take the Gospel to unknown parts of the world? Some missionaries have. They have given up a comfortable life to suffer need and comfort for the Gospel. Could we leave our dreams to spread the Gospel? Some have left their dreams temporarily or permanently to spread the Gospel. Ultimately, would we be willing to give up our very lives and go into a dangerous part of the world for Jesus? Some have. And immediately, some may say that we’ve all not received the gifts needed to be missionaries, but in our hearts, we must be willing to do it, if God should call us.
We say with our mouths that yes, we give Him our all. The Lord takes our word for it and accomplishes His Will in our lives, just like He did with the apostles. They were on a journey they knew nothing of, but they followed Jesus. We too are on a journey, obeying the Lord, we know not where it will lead, how far, how long or how hard. But we face each day and should offer it to our Lord to glorify Himself for the furtherance of the kingdom. “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) With God’s help through the Holy Spirit we will be able to do it.
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