Following Jesus Pt. I

#Discipleship #BasicsOfFaith #Christianity #ChristAlone

Several weeks back our family friend, Michelle, texted me a prompt that has been marinating in my heart. Michelle asked, “Why don’t you write about what does it mean to follow Jesus?” My thoughts were all over the place; from the Gospels, to the letters by the Apostles, and even to the prophecies of the Old Testament. After considering the question, I believe the best path forward is to start with a familiar Gospel.

Over the next several articles I will look into what the Gospel of Matthew has to say about this loaded question. We will see what Jesus shares with the disciples, as well as how He teaches and highlights elements of what it means to be His follower/disciple. Today, as we take-off on a defining journey, let’s start with a basic concept—To follow Jesus means to be called out.

Jesus has been through the 40 days and 40 nights of being in the desert fasting, as well as being tempted by Satan. Following this episode, Jesus experiences care by angels and then goes into Capernaum. Here, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus begins to proclaim the Gospel. The Good News of the coming deliverance by God’s anointed one. Then we see Jesus choosing His followers.

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:18-22, NASB)

1. We have been called out from condemnation. When we read John 3:16-21 we can see that God’s love calls us out of sin and its consequences to forgiveness and eternal life. Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ and being His follower means that we have received a special invitation out of darkness into light; from death to life. Being called out of our dead-like state is the reason for celebration.

2. We have been called into a growing kingdom. Jesus exclaims to those whom He calls, I will make you fishers of men. Here we see Jesus speaking to His would-be disciples in terms they can understand and readily act on. Peter and His brother were fishing, after all. Here Jesus emphasizes the importance of an active kingdom that constantly casts out its nets into the world to bring others into the path of life. Being a disciple means we are intentional in sharing the Gospel in no uncertain terms.

3. We have been called to be transformed. Following Jesus will be a life-altering decision that carries multi-faceted changes. When we meet the Savior of the world; God incarnate; the Only Begotten Son, there is no way in which we can remain the same as before our encounter. Evidenced by the remarkable response to the invitation to follow Him, these men (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) were called to leave their old self behind and be transformed. The question is are we allowing God to transform us after receiving the call to become his disciple?

4. We have been called to a divine family. Notice that in the last verse quoted the writer notes the major implication of being called as a disciple of Jesus Christ. They left the life they knew, and they left their father. When we are called to be followers of Jesus Christ, we are challenged to redefine our relationships and our priorities. The importance of family is important, but it diminishes by comparison to the love and devotion shown to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Being called as Jesus’ followers means we face a radical and unequivocal transformation that only the Holy Spirit can deliver.

Dear Reader, are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? If you are, I pray you may experience the ongoing transformation of life as you surrender to the Holy Spirit’s empowering and enabling. Are you yet to accept this radical invitation? I pray with all my heart that you may accept it freely and embrace it with your whole being. There is nothing better or sweeter than walking along this life side by side with the resurrected Savior as the Lord and Savior of your own life.