Friday, August 29, 2014

reasons to follow


We are getting into the Gospel of Mark for a fall study and we have been looking at what it means to be a disciple, or follower, of Christ. When Jesus initiated His ministry, people followed Him for different reasons. They were looking for different things. Jesus invited some fishermen to follow Him (Simon and Andrew and James and John). He told them that He would show them a different kind of fishing...for men. They responded immediately and left their livelihood and families. There was something about Jesus that commanded their total commitment, even before they had full understanding of His identity and purpose in their lives. As Jesus ministered and healed many a large crowd began to follow Him because either they had a sickness to be healed or they wanted to see Him do a miracle. Mark 1:45 says "large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places". It is good to consider why we are following Jesus, on a personal level. Do we just want something from Him on a personal level? Do we want to see Him do miracles and watch Him perform? Or are we interested in having a close walk to learn and be changed by Him to become like the first disciples, who became equipped to fish for the Kingdom of Heaven!
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blessings,
Rob Smith

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