Day 13- FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR

Reading: Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:29-34

Jesus came as a man to seek and save the lost. That was his part.  Our part is to believe and follow. 

Have you ever wondered how it was that the first disciples left everything and followed Jesus when he simply said, “Follow me!” or “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!” Was there something compelling about the way Jesus said it?

Most likely, Jesus had been in their vicinity previously and they had watched him and heard him speak. Possibly they had heard John the Baptist speak and remembered that he had said that there was someone really special whom he was announcing. Then one day John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” That day Andrew, the brother of Peter, and another of John’s followers had spent time with Jesus. There was a confluence of events that drew them toward this man whose presence radiated an authority that could not be denied. 

What do you think it was that compelled these men to leave their trades and follow Jesus? Could it be that they were waiting with baited breath for the Messiah, and they considered that this could be he, or perhaps, a prophet from God? Could it be that they saw in him qualities that they themselves wanted? An inner peace, a sense of knowing what the bigger plan was, a certainty about God and His ways? Or perhaps they had an unknowing appreciation for the fact that their destines lay within his call? 

What was it for you? What made you put all your eggs in this Jesus basket and begin to follow him? 

Prayer

Dear God, remind me of the peace and joy I felt the first day I said that I would follow you. 

For the family

Play a game of ‘Follow the leader’ with your children as a demonstration of how we should follow Jesus in our lives. Then explain the study in an age-appropriate way.