Jesus continued walking by Lake Galilee. He saw two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat, preparing their nets to catch fish. Their father Zebedee and the men that worked for him were in the boat with the brothers. When Jesus saw the brothers he told them to come. They left their father and followed Jesus. - Mark 1:19-20
There is a cost to following Jesus. Some people won't understand. Some of those who won't understand may even be in our own families. However, we are called to follow, knowing that others we love might not be willing to face the cost of that discipleship. Don't be fooled, dear friend, by preachers promising everything while implying there will not be heartbreak or hardship.
Some we love will not follow with us. However, our hope and prayer is that their reluctance will only be temporary and that through us they will come to know the Jesus we follow. The first step, however, is to follow ... no matter the cost!
1 Samuel 12:22
For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. —
The great and holy God will not be unfaithful. In fact, he will act to show his character and honor his holy name, even when his people don't deserve his grace. Why God would love and preserve us and our great Israelite ancestors is nothing short of grace, love, and faithfulness.
'Not Seeking the Spotlight' — John 1:19-21
This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?" He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah." "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet we are expecting?" "No."
— John 1:19-21
Who are you? What would you do to be viewed as important by others? How much does your acceptance by others matter? I don't know about you, but these are convicting questions for me. Most of us are not happy living our lives in the shadow of someone else, no matter how important that person is. Most of us want to be viewed as significant. John the Baptizer, however, lived a life of importance BECAUSE he chose the shadows and pointed others to Jesus, the Light. He directed his followers to Jesus. He refused to be called the Messiah they were seeking. God was pleased with John's choice! Jesus said of him, "John was like a burning and shining lamp, ..." (John 5:35). May the same also be true of each of us!
There is a cost to following Jesus. Some people won't understand. Some of those who won't understand may even be in our own families. However, we are called to follow, knowing that others we love might not be willing to face the cost of that discipleship. Don't be fooled, dear friend, by preachers promising everything while implying there will not be heartbreak or hardship.
Some we love will not follow with us. However, our hope and prayer is that their reluctance will only be temporary and that through us they will come to know the Jesus we follow. The first step, however, is to follow ... no matter the cost!
1 Samuel 12:22
For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. —
The great and holy God will not be unfaithful. In fact, he will act to show his character and honor his holy name, even when his people don't deserve his grace. Why God would love and preserve us and our great Israelite ancestors is nothing short of grace, love, and faithfulness.
'Not Seeking the Spotlight' — John 1:19-21
This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?" He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah." "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet we are expecting?" "No."
— John 1:19-21
Who are you? What would you do to be viewed as important by others? How much does your acceptance by others matter? I don't know about you, but these are convicting questions for me. Most of us are not happy living our lives in the shadow of someone else, no matter how important that person is. Most of us want to be viewed as significant. John the Baptizer, however, lived a life of importance BECAUSE he chose the shadows and pointed others to Jesus, the Light. He directed his followers to Jesus. He refused to be called the Messiah they were seeking. God was pleased with John's choice! Jesus said of him, "John was like a burning and shining lamp, ..." (John 5:35). May the same also be true of each of us!
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