Scripture
“At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:20 NIV
“and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:22 NIV
Observation
In this passage, Jesus calls his first disciples. The two first disciples were the brothers: Peter and Andrew. And then, the other two brothers James and John.
They were fishermen. They were working at the time Jesus called. But all of them left what they were doing and answered immediately Jesus calling and followed him.
Jesus told them: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people”.
Application
I believe that every person is called to:
- come to Jesus
- follow Him
- send out to fish for people
However, sometimes we are too busy and we are not willing to let go of our nets and follow him.
To be a follower of Jesus, first, we need to leave our nets, leave our boat, and even leave our parents. When we are able to leave all these behind and follow Him, we begin to understand what it is to be a disciple.
I think symbolic we can compare:
- Nets: our skills, the tools we have to get what we need or want.
- Boats: our stability, our jobs, our safety zone.
- Father: our parents.
It is not about abandoning these, leaving them behind, because we can still live as Christian and be surrounded by those. But it is to be able to let it go when Jesus asks. You go where he goes. It is to trust that Jesus will provide. And when we are able to let it go, then we can truly follow him.
A lot of Christians stop on stage 2, and never step towards stage 3 of our personal calling.
Jesus sends every disciple to reach out to people.
Where is Jesus sending me now?
Prayer
Jesus, you called me to spread your message into the world. Help me to always be able to follow you, wherever you go, wherever you send me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
