Tag: FOLLOWING JESUS

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JESUS DOES NOT TAKE APPLICATIONS

Did you see that high school yearbook featuring the disciples (before they came to know Jesus)? Below each graduation portrait is a class nickname. James, the Son of Zebedee, and John (brother of James) share the title “Sons of Thunder.” The brothers were never quiet and tended to cause chaos. I can imagine their school years, weekly ending up in the principal’s office for getting into fights on the school grounds. But wait, none of the Disciples (except for Matthew) ever had any higher education. No credentials, no hope of a greater future except for carrying on the family business. None of the Disciples would have made it past a leadership nominating committee. They might apply, but their applications would end up in the trash.

JESUS RECRUITS AND SAYS, “FOLLOW”

That is the wonderful, unique thing about Jesus. He recruits. He doesn’t take applications. Jesus says, “Follow”. (Matt. 4:18-22 AMP);

MEANING OF “FOLLOW”

What does “follow” mean? When my sons were little, they loved collecting Transformers, the alien/robot toy that transforms from a vehicle to a powerful, monstrous robot. Transformation means to change from one thing into a different thing. Did the disciples have any idea that following Jesus would involve transformation into the likeness of Christ?

TRANSFORMATION

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul calls this transformation, this act of sacrificial living, true worship. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.”

For the Jews in Jesus’ day, “sacrifice” was only associated with death. That sacrificial lamb on the altar died. As Jesus followers, we are to present ourselves on God’s altar for His exclusive use. It involves death to what comes naturally for our sin nature. This is both the will of God and the sacrifice for true believers.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?

Rays Stedman asks, “How do you feel about this? Do you regard it as an intrusion, an interruption of your plans and your program? Or do you regard it as an infinite honor that mere creatures may be the full expression of the holy and magnificent life of God? This is what Paul calls an intelligent fulfillment of purpose.

“You can never find the will of God until you start here. Have you ever made an intelligent presentation of yourself, your body, your soul (your emotional and mental life), and your spirit unto God? Have you ever presented yourself as what you are, nothing, so that you may have what He is, everything, and step out into every new day in complete expectation that His life will be manifest in you? That is Christianity. That is the will of God.”

MARK OF A TRUE JESUS FOLLOWER

The mark of a Jesus follower is a transformed life. Christ recruits us to follow Him and to allow Him to change our lives permanently. Jesus does not take applications. He does not search for those who get by without God on their own strength, who are considered the best of the best by this world. Have you ever presented yourself as what you are, nothing, so that you may have what he is, everything, and step out into every new day in complete expectation that his life will be manifest in you? Jesus calls you to follow.

Click to read more about the “Sons of Thunder.”

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THE FIRST PICK

Imagine a competition of millions of contestants. The Disciples are to be picked by superstar judges on national TV. If the qualifications are hot tempers, impulsiveness, brashness, cowardness, and subpar education, Peter is a shoo-in. However, I don’t think that those qualities gain any points. Peter’s application does not make it to the first round.

PETER WOULD NOT MAKE EVEN THE LAST DRAFT

John F. Kennedy, one of our most famous presidents, was known for surrounding himself with the best and the brightest, characterized by youth, high-level academic credentials, intellectual capacity, and a blend of intense loyalty with diverse expertise. They were merit-driven, action-oriented individuals, frequently drawn from Ivy League institutions and business leaders. Peter would never be a candidate for Kennedy’s team.

WILLING TO FOLLOW

In Matthew 4:18-22 (NET) (AMP), Jesus did not call the greatest, the smartest, the best-looking, the strongest, or anything else. He chose the willing. What were they to do?  Follow. Shawne Thomas remarks, “For those first disciples, ‘following’ Jesus meant literally, physically, leaving where they were and following Him wherever He went. They left their jobs, they left their nets, they left their families, they left their priorities, they left their plans, they left everything, to follow Jesus.”

JESUS’ FIRST PICK….NOT HIS LAST

They were Jesus’ first pick. I’ve never been first pick for anything. Be astounded, Jesus calls you! He wants you! John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

Jesus picks His disciples, His followers, to fish. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” To follow Jesus doesn’t just mean to walk behind Him, but to go the way He is going, do the things that He does, and act the way He acts.  His followers participate in Divine fishing.

Where are His fishing grounds? Jesus did not tell the Disciples where He was going. Every day was new as Jesus healed, helped, taught, and carried out the mission the Father sent Him to accomplish. For those of us who like everything nicely laid out and explained, following Jesus is a wild ride. It can be scary. Just like the first disciples, genuine Jesus followers are challenged beyond their natural skills, strengths, and abilities. God gives us people and situations that stretch us beyond the scope of our imagination.

JESUS’ FIRST PICK

What are you willing to leave behind to follow Jesus? Hopes and dreams? Hurts and resentments? Money and time? Friends and stuff? Jesus calls you to a life that fulfills God’s purpose. God promises to equip us to be Jesus’ followers fully. We must leave our baggage behind. The key is to be willing to let go, follow, and obey. Maybe no one in this world would pick you for Jesus’ team, but the Savior beckons you. You are His first pick. Will you follow?

For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  (2 Peter 1:1-11)

Click to read more on becoming equipped as a disciple.