Matthew 4:18–22 ‘Come, follow me…’ (v19)
It’s a simple instruction – and yet one of mind-blowing magnitude. ‘Follow Me!’ What does that mean, Jesus? For the first disciples it meant a complete life change.
In this passage we read of them giving up their businesses, their lifestyles, leaving it all behind to follow Jesus.
It’s a gentle but serious invitation. It’s about giving up their old lives when they realise the truth of Someone who is life Himself (John 14:6).
There seems no hesitancy in their choosing to follow Jesus; it may have been something they have already considered.
But the time has come. They accept His invitation to keep fishing, but now, to ‘fish for people’ (v19). What does following Jesus mean for us, today?
It means abandoning lifestyle choices that don’t line up with God’s ways. It may mean a change of relationship or career.
It could mean a change of attitude while we stay in those situations. Jesus asks us to follow Him not just physically, but in our hearts; to put Him first, to fix our eyes on Him and to live to please Him.
We must learn from Him, and live as His chosen people in a world that largely doesn’t recognise Him or His Lordship. It may require sacrifice.
Jesus, after all, said that following Him meant to pick up our cross on a daily basis, denying ourselves (Luke 9:23).
Putting Jesus’ will above our own is a reflection of how He lived His life (Matt. 26:39). God doesn’t always ask us to take an easy path, but if He directs, we know it will be the right one.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord, thank You that You call me to follow You. Help me to know
how to follow You in all the areas of my life. I want to please You. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Have you heard Jesus asking you to follow Him into a particular ministry? Is He asking You to make changes to a certain area of your life? How will you respond today?
Scripture To Consider:
2 Sam. 7:1–29; Jer. 1:1–19; Matt. 8:18–22 & 9:9–13
