Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:18-22
I heard a preacher once say that whenever you see the word ‘Therefore’ in scripture, to always look and see what it’s there for! That taught me to look for patterns whenever I was reading. For me, it was one of the ways God was saying pay attention!
There is a pattern taking place in today’s reading as well. When Jesus begins to choose His disciples we see the word “immediately” being repeated. These men immediately left all! Not presently or later that day, but straight away they completely walked away from their families, lifestyles, careers, and even teachings, all for the opportunity to walk beside and learn from Jesus, whom they called “Rabbi” (a title of respect for a Jewish scholar or teacher). It was an honor to be chosen by a Rabbi.
How is this attitude reflected in our churches today? Although Jesus is not a physical presence we would walk behind, are we also willing to immediately “abandon all” to be His followers? I read an interesting article not too long ago titled “Follow Me” that talks about the calling of Jesus’ disciples in more detail. This choosing was known as “Yeshiva”, or learning opportunity. One thing the article suggests to reflect on asks if there is a difference between merely being a cognitive believer in Jesus and what it means to be a submitted follower of Him instead. I believe there is most certainly a difference, and I pray this year that we all become submitted followers!
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Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:18-22, NASB
‘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.
Alabastersky 