Have you ever considered how radical it was when Jesus called people to just up, leave and follow him? The Bible doesn’t indicate that he gave a lot of explanation, laid out a clear-cut plan of action with job descriptions, salaries or benefit packages. He just told Peter and his brother Andrew and later James and John, all of them in the fishing business, that he would make them fishers of men.
What thoughts must have gone through their heads at that time? “We can’t just leave everything we have ever worked for”! “What about our wife and family”? “How will we support them”? “What about our house and boat”?
Why were those whom he called willing to leave everything on the spot? It was not for money, fame or fortune, because Jesus never promised it to them, nor did they ever get it. What in the world motivated them to a radical step like this?
Was it somehow the “magnetism” of Jesus? What did they see in him? He was a carpenter’s son, who had followed his father’s steps into the trade and now had exploded unto the scene with a few cool miracles and through teachings that really touched a nerve with the people.
I think what drew people to follow Jesus was the love and mercy that characterized his life and his relationships with others. He treated everybody, especially those who were seen as the lowest in the culture of the day with respect. Women, those of mixed race, the poor, the outcast, all were treated with the dignity that one who is made in the image of God deserves.
Jesus was known to make some difficult and hard requests of those who would follow him. He did not water down his message or demands to make them more palatable to potential disciples. His words disrupted, troubled and disturbed.
Maybe Peter, one of the outspoken followers of Jesus provides the answer to our question! At an occasion where many turned away from following Jesus, Peter said: “Master, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life, and we believe them and know you are the holy Son of God.”
Will you listen and follow his call—today?!
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