Come Follow Me
Matthew 4:18-25
Do you remember when Jesus began calling his Twelve Apostles?
He had just been tested in the wilderness by the devil, whom he defeated soundly, and now it was time to continue his mortal ministry more fully.
He knew he would need assistance and began searching for apostles.
The very first people he extended this divine invitation to were fishermen.
In those days, fishing was probably one of the most humble occupations.
After all, a boat wasn’t much to boast of, and even knowing how to work hard, sometimes catching fish, didn’t really net huge profits.
This means they surely knew what it felt like to be hungry. Who better to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to, who would have the depth of understanding and compassion for a starving world?
Whenever Jesus has issued an invitation for others to follow Him, both biblically and today, accompanying His chosen charge is the challenge to give up everything in their old lives, to gain a new and better life.
Also, when these devoted disciples accepted His invitation, several translations indicate they did so straightway, at once, immediately. Do we have that kind of courage and commitment in following Jesus today?
Because that same invitation to “Come follow me” is extended to each of us.
Thus, we must make daily choices to follow and become like Him in all we do and say.
For if our following does not lead to our becoming, eventually we will grow tired, and bored and return to our comfortable, predictable nets.
What nets do you need to leave behind so you can receive greater blessings from becoming a loving disciple, not just a dutiful doppelganger, of Christ?
No, it’s not easy following Jesus.
He rarely takes the convenient paths.
He dines with the downtrodden, prays with prostitutes and seeks out the sick and afflicted to heal and comfort them.
To follow Him means to not only to go where He goes but to do what He does.
We can offer comfort to the sad, food and clothing to the needy, hope for the hurting, light to those in darkness, and love to the unloved and forgotten.
We have to have faith like those first fishermen, who gave up something good for something greater.
If we are willing and believing, let us be leaving
behind our nets and accept His salvation invitation.
May we let go of those knotted nets and grab the outstretched hand of the Lord with one hand and then reach out with the other hand to help another soul get untangled from their own nets.
Today, it’s time to leave behind your old, tangled life and find a new life in and through following and becoming like Jesus Christ.
It’s time to leave your nets of regrets, doubts, sins, and sorrows behind.
As you do the Lord will replace them with grace and mercy and you will have more joy and peace in your life than ten thousand nets could ever hold.
Thank you for taking the time to read my work.
Corey Baumgartner “The White Knight”
“Saving the world one word at a time.”
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