Following Jesus means leaving things behind. Peter, Andrew, James, and John experienced this. They were all fishermen, yet the Lord was calling them to something more significant in His Kingdom. How would you feel about leaving what you know to venture into the unknown with Jesus? As you read this, is the Lord calling you to leave your old life behind and follow Jesus more deeply? Listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has good things ahead for you as He did for the disciples.
The Disciples Leave Everything to Follow Jesus
Mark 1:16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men. [1]
Following Jesus Means Leaving our Old Life Behind
When God begins to transform us, there is much He wants us to leave behind. Our old sinful nature desires the things and pleasures of this world. As a believer in Jesus, those desires begin to change. Perhaps you have experienced that as you have grown in faith.
The Apostle Paul tells about putting on the new self. Ephesians 4:22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. [2] Leaving the old life behind is not easy, but with God’s help, He will make that possible in your life. What part of your life is the Lord leading you to leave behind? What new things of the Spirit does the Lord want to instill in you?
Following Jesus is a Spiritual Journey
Following Jesus is a journey. As we journey with Jesus, He changes us over time and sometimes not as fast as we would like. The key is to be humble and teachable and let the Holy Spirit lead you. Look for the Lord to bring other believers into your life to help you on your journey. Ephesians 1:4, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”[3]
Following Jesus means leaving things behind. To hear more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-jesus-uses-ordinary-people
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.