Does this sound familiar to you?

“Our mission is to make disciples for the transformation of the world”.

To make a disciple, you must first be a disciple. That’s where your journey begins, at that moment of decision. Your response orients the entire trajectory of your life journey. 

The calling of Jesus is extremely simple. “Come and follow me and I will make you disciple-makers of men.” Mark 1:17

The response of Simon and Andrew is immediate, radical, and completely life altering. Their response to the invitation of Jesus was to change the entire history of the world.

“At once, they left … everything they had ever expected to do with their lives … and followed Jesus.”  Mark 1:18

Then Jesus calls James and John.

“Right away he called them and they dropped what they were doing and left … their father, their boat and their fishing business … to follow Him as His disciples.” Mark 1:20

Why would they do that? Was this impulsive, irresponsible and reckless behavior?

In the first 15 verses of Mark, I don’t see demonstrations of supernatural power that would have alerted these guys that Jesus was the Son of God and worth following.

So why would they say “yes” when Jesus called them? Wasn’t He basically a stranger and an unknown entity? Why would they respond so immediately and so radically?

I don’t have a great theological answer to that question, but I will share some of my musings. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this too.

First, the other gospel accounts of the disciples calling (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:4-11; and John 1:29-2:2) indicate that Jesus was probably not a complete stranger to them. Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist, and John adamantly declared “someone is coming after me who is a lot more powerful”. There was most likely some degree of familiarity and/or relationship already in place.

But consider this. Their must have been something about the presence of Jesus – seeing Him, hearing Him – that connected beyond their human senses and resonated with their spirit.

I’m sure Jesus was a winsome, charismatic personality. But there was something else about Jesus that awakened their spiritual eyes and hears. Something powerful and divine, beyond logic and wisdom. Something that can only be explained as spiritual.

I remember when I said “yes” to Jesus and gave my life to him. There was something deep in my spirit that simply knew following him was the right thing to do.

Something about Him stirred my very soul. I knew that I knew.

Maybe you’ve had that same kind of experience, I hope you have.

John Wesley had this type of experience, as many Methodists will be quite familiar with his Aldersgate story: “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone …”

My point is this. Somewhere in your life journey, a decision must be made – to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, or not.

To be a disciple, you’ve got to be all in.

So if Jesus was speaking to you right now, directly: “Come and follow me and I will make you a disciple-maker.”

What would your answer be? Would you be all in?

#All-In-For-Jesus

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About Season Of Light

I am writing a devotional series called “Season of Light” (#SeasonOfLife) during the beginning of 2016, focusing on the 40 day season of Epiphany (from January 6 – February 10). We’ll explore the major biblical themes of the beginning of Jesus ministry, and I’ll comment as the Holy Spirit inspires. This is for the purpose of growing in our relationship with the Lord. My desire – my hope and prayer for you – is that your heart may expand and your spirit grow brighter as we seek to be filled with the knowledge and presence of God. So, I invite you to join me on the “Season of Light” journey!

Often I’ll be inspired by a scripture from the Daily Audio Bible readings and use that as a writing prompt. Here’s the DAB readings for January 20: Genesis 41:17-42:17; Matthew 13:24-46; Psalms 18:1-15; Proverbs 4:1-6

Our church is also on a reading plan of four chapters per day, starting in the New Testament. Today is Mark 14-17.