Come, follow Jesus - connecting the dots

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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." JOHN 15:16

Two thousand years ago Jesus called four fishermen from their nets to "come follow Me." They did what fishermen don't do: They dropped their lifelong work to follow after a man they barely knew. In those three years, the first-ever followers of Jesus logged many miles and a lot of stumbles. They were looking for the wrong kingdom—a political kingdom. They were stumped by Jesus' parables. They said stupid things. They wouldn't believe that the Messiah had to suffer and die. They could hardly believe Jesus rose from his tomb.  Their faith was slow and small. And yet, they did it—they "walked the same road" with Jesus before anyone else did. Even in all their bungling, these men knew some things about following Jesus that we present-day followers forget. The disciples knew they weren't simply adding God to their already busy lives, as we often do today. When they first began, those twelve men weren't even sure who Jesus was, but they knew what He required and what He was worth. They gave up their jobs; they left the security of their families to pursue the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom they could not yet see, but they believed in.  We may not be called to give up our jobs or leave our families in the same way, but walking with Jesus is far more than adding God as a helpful accessory to our busy lives. Following Jesus changes the entire direction and motivation of our lives. Following Jesus is more than a relationship; it gives us real work to do in the world. Jesus' inner circle knew from the start that they had been brought into an intimate relationship with this unusual rabbi. But the Messiah was here for more than their personal well-being—and ours. From the start, Jesus made it clear He was on a mission—and they were as well.  "Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Just as He left to return to the Father, He commissioned all of us: "Go into all the world, preaching the gospel . . ." It's easy to focus on our private relationship with our own personal Savior, but our faith is meant to go out and move and shake the world toward heaven. Dear God, please help me to follow after Jesus and shake the world toward heaven. In Jesus' name, amen.