Matthew 4:18-22
One day as he was walking along the beach beside the Lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—out in a boat fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen.
Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!” And they left their nets at once and went with him.
A little farther up the beach he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their nets; and he called to them to come too. At once they stopped their work and, leaving their father behind, went with him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This school year, I am helping at least one day a week in Timmy’s second grade class. Like many children (including our own at times), there are a couple of students who absolutely seem to ignore the teacher and me when we call to them. They look the other way and act as if they did not hear us speaking directly to them! So I cannot imagine saying to one of these students, “Drop everything and follow me!” This summons would most likely fall on deaf ears!
I bet you see where I’m headed with this! In scripture, we see that Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John dropped EVERYTHING and went with Jesus. They didn’t look away and pretend not to hear Him calling to them. They didn’t say, “I’ll be there after I finish fishing or mending nets!” None of them said, “I can’t right now…I am busy doing XYZ!” To a person, they immediately heeded the voice of Jesus - and followed Him.
You and I are pretty much like second-grade students. We have our own agendas. In some cases, we don’t want to do what Jesus asks of us. But often, we just want to finish what we are doing first! This is not faithful obedience and humble servitude! When Jesus whispers our name – or even when we feel that gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit – we should stop and answer right away. There is no such thing as a good excuse. To suggest otherwise not only demonstrates disobedience…it shows complete arrogance on our part. And God is not impressed.
There will surely be times when Jesus calls on us to follow Him - and what He asks is not convenient. His requests may even be downright difficult. But remember, when God calls you to something, He will see you through it! So put down your “nets” and prepare to “fish” for souls with Jesus. When He calls to you, do not dawdle! Answer right away and trust Him to handle all of the details.
You and I are not in second grade any more. Failure to listen for the voice of Jesus – and answer promptly – has no place in our lives as Christian disciples. At least it shouldn’t! Are YOU listening with faithfulness and obedience? Isn’t it time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
One day as he was walking along the beach beside the Lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—out in a boat fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen.
Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!” And they left their nets at once and went with him.
A little farther up the beach he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their nets; and he called to them to come too. At once they stopped their work and, leaving their father behind, went with him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This school year, I am helping at least one day a week in Timmy’s second grade class. Like many children (including our own at times), there are a couple of students who absolutely seem to ignore the teacher and me when we call to them. They look the other way and act as if they did not hear us speaking directly to them! So I cannot imagine saying to one of these students, “Drop everything and follow me!” This summons would most likely fall on deaf ears!
I bet you see where I’m headed with this! In scripture, we see that Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John dropped EVERYTHING and went with Jesus. They didn’t look away and pretend not to hear Him calling to them. They didn’t say, “I’ll be there after I finish fishing or mending nets!” None of them said, “I can’t right now…I am busy doing XYZ!” To a person, they immediately heeded the voice of Jesus - and followed Him.
You and I are pretty much like second-grade students. We have our own agendas. In some cases, we don’t want to do what Jesus asks of us. But often, we just want to finish what we are doing first! This is not faithful obedience and humble servitude! When Jesus whispers our name – or even when we feel that gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit – we should stop and answer right away. There is no such thing as a good excuse. To suggest otherwise not only demonstrates disobedience…it shows complete arrogance on our part. And God is not impressed.
There will surely be times when Jesus calls on us to follow Him - and what He asks is not convenient. His requests may even be downright difficult. But remember, when God calls you to something, He will see you through it! So put down your “nets” and prepare to “fish” for souls with Jesus. When He calls to you, do not dawdle! Answer right away and trust Him to handle all of the details.
You and I are not in second grade any more. Failure to listen for the voice of Jesus – and answer promptly – has no place in our lives as Christian disciples. At least it shouldn’t! Are YOU listening with faithfulness and obedience? Isn’t it time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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