Matthew 4:18 “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
21Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.”
The first four disciples were fishermen, hard – working, down to earth men who would not be easily swayed. And yet, when Jesus called, they left everything, got up, and followed Him.
THEY CAST THEIR NETS IN GALILEE – FROM ELECTRONIC HYMN BOOK
“They cast their nets in Galilee, just off the hills of brown, such happy simple fisherfolk, before the Lord came down.
Contented, peaceful fishermen, before they ever knew the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too.
Young John who trimmed the flapping sail homeless in Patmos died. Peter, who hauled the teeming net, head – down was crucified.
The peace of God, it is no peace but strife closed in the sod. Yet let us pray for but one thing, the marvelous peace of God.”
Sometimes we think that the call of God is going to come with beautiful music and sunshine and butterflies flitting all around with flowers blooming and everything lovely and safe. Most of the time, the call of God comes as a shock, a surprise, and sometimes as something terribly difficult. Many of us want to echo Tevya the Milkman in “Fiddler on the Roof” when he says, “Lord, I know we are your chosen people, but couldn’t you choose someone else for a change?” Recently Christians in Burkina Faso and Northern Nigeria went to church and died for their faith at the hands of Boko Haram terrorists. Chinese Christians are memorizing the Word because their Bibles and churches are being destroyed. Why should God shield us when our brothers and sisters are suffering and dying for their faith?
1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” 23When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 24He Himself bore our sinsh in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
We become hurt and frustrated when we are misunderstood, not realizing that others are suffering far worse torments. If we are to follow Jesus, we must realize that those footprints are bloody. Will we still follow?
PRAYER: Father God, today our hearts are aching! We have tried to follow you and have been criticized and misunderstood. But Jesus, you went to the cross for us. Help us to follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In Your mighty and precious Name. Amen.
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