Follow Jesus – January 23, 2021

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22

Follow Jesus

They were simple, first-century fishermen, just blue-collar workers going about their blue-collar jobs. Until, one day, Jesus called out and said, “Come, follow me.” They knew of Jesus. They had seen him before and had even witnessed his first miracle. But they could not possibly know what they were in for by following him. They would see him heal the lame, give sight to the blind, and even raise the dead. They would hear him preach and teach like no one before. They would see him arrested, beaten, and nailed to a cross. And they would see him alive again three days later. It would be a journey of highs and lows that they could never have imagined that day when he first called them to follow him.

The same Jesus who called Peter and Andrew, James, and John, calls for you to follow him. Follow his words and promises. Follow his will for your life. Follow him in good times and bad; when it is easy and when it is not. Follow him in everything you do this day and every day yet to come. Like those first-century fishermen, you cannot possibly know what it will mean to follow Jesus.

But you will be so glad you did. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is a light shining in this dark world, helping you make sense of it all and see who you really are and who your God really is. Follow him through the twists and turns of this life, and he will lead you to the heaven he bought for you with his blood.

Follow Jesus. You will be eternally thankful you did!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I realize that following you will not always be easy. But I know it will always be best. Grant me the willingness and strength to follow you through this life and into the next. Amen.