Prepare – Matthew 4:19
“Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people!”
Devotional
When Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw Peter and Andrew, who were brothers, fishing. This was their profession, not something they did just for fun. It could be a very lucrative profession in that day. When Jesus saw them, he issued a very simple invitation. In some ways it was even a command, because Jesus always spoke with authority. It was a command that was inviting – something they wanted to do.
What did Jesus invite them to do? He invited them to be disciples. He invites us to be disciples as well. He invites us to follow in the footsteps of the very first disciples. Discipleship.org gives us a very simple definition of a disciple. A disciple is one who is
- following Jesus,
- being changed by Jesus and
- committed to the mission of Jesus.
A disciple is a Christian. A Christian is a disciple. It’s not a second tier or a higher level – every one of us who is a Christian is called to be a disciple. Like Peter and Andrew, Jesus calls us to follow him. He wants us to be with him and learn from him and from his Word, the Bible.
When we follow Jesus we are changed. The old parts of us, our old nature passes away and we become more and more a new creation, a new person. Following Jesus can’t help but change our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
Our mission and purpose in life changes as well. What was Jesus’ mission? To make disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19 ESV) Jesus calls us to help others trust and follow Jesus. This is a life-changing and world changing mission. It’s the most amazing and joyful mission there is in this world!
~ Pastor Craig Johnson
Praise
Watch and listen to “I Have Decided” by Elevation Worship and “In Christ Alone” by Kristian Stanfill.
