Jesus Is Compelling
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You for the guidance from Your Word that You give me each day. Guide me today, I pray.
Read Mark 1:14-20
[14] After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. [15] “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” [16] As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [17] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” [18] At once they left their nets and followed him. [19] When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. [20] Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How did these men respond to Jesus' call to follow?There are pivotal moments in all our lives when the choices we make will have long-term, life-defining consequences. It’s all about timing. When the right opportunity comes at just the right moment it takes courage to seize it, to acknowledge the cost while seeing the potential. In these verses it is one of those moments for Jesus and he, in turn, creates one of those moments for Simon, Andrew, James and John. The arrest of John the Baptist is a trigger. John said of Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). Mark gives us the sense that Jesus is part of a bigger story, that his life is not random but guided. For the fishermen it was an extraordinary day. Family loyalty, career and social status were abandoned. Jesus, the Rabbi, was calling his disciples and these young men would never expect to be among them. They may have felt insecure, but they swallowed their fear and obeyed. Jesus is calling us to be his disciples. Each day, we make a life-defining choice to include Jesus in our daily routine.
Apply
Pray using the words of Romans 12:1: “Lord, I offer my body as a living sacrifice,” and get caught up in his great plans.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I do want to be a faithful disciple of Yours every day. Help and guide me as I make the choices I face today.
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