Matthew 4:12-25: Are You Willing to Follow?

Introduction

(Read once to be introduced to the series. After that skip this to go right to the good stuff!) 

Welcome to my Devotions Series. This series features devotions based on the Scriptures of the Common Lectionary. The series is being prepared for eventual and hopeful print publication.

The series is also posted and regularly updated on my official blog: http://www.cedwardsellner.blogspot.com/

You can find a host of additional information, online resources and links to my other work there. This includes a cross-referenced Archive that lists the various Sundays, but then also lists all currently published Devotions by their sequence in Scripture as well as a Topical Index.

You can go directly to the Devotions: Archive by clicking here.

Each Scripture is also hyperlinked to the online Bible at Bible Gateway in the NIV version I used in preparing the series.

As I mentioned this series is being prepared for print publication, so I of course would welcome any and all feedback, either through Gather, or directly to cedwardsellner@aol.com

Lectionary Series Year A: The Third Sunday After Epiphany
Matthew 4:12-25 (Read it on Bible Gateway)
Are You Willing to Follow?
No matter how many times I read the story of Jesus beginning his public ministry and calling his first Disciples, I always love it. To me there is some simple yet great power in these verses. I often wonder what it must have been like to be one of those first called Disciples. Imagine, to be standing near the Sea of Galilee, tending your nets when this man just walks up and calls you to leave behind everything you knew and follow him. What an amazing and frightening thing, but what a wondrous adventure!

Years ago, I was Pastoring a small country Church and still very much filled with the fires of Seminary. It was around the time that Operation: Desert Storm launched and fighting had broken out, a very defining time for me in my own ministry. A week or so after that fighting had started the Lectionary had a passage that dealt with the theme of commitment to Christ, to following Christ. I forget the timing, so, I'm not sure, it may or may not have been this passage, but it was definitely one like this.

I put a question to my congregation that Sunday. I asked them to close their eyes and to answer by silent raising of the hand. First, I asked if today, the President walked in and stated that there was a desperate need to defend freedom, to defend the United States and to go off to war, how many would be willing to go and leave their life here behind, possibly to never come back? It being a hotly patriotic time, most of the congregation, from five year old children to seventy year old retirees raised their hands. They then put their hands down and I asked, if today, the Bishop of the Church came in and said there was a critical need for people to serve in mission work to the world, people desperate to hear the message of Christ and a need for those who would carry it to them, how many would go? If I remember correctly, there were less than half a dozen.

I think what bothered me most is that while I don't remember all the points I made in that sermon, I wrote that message knowing that would exactly be the response to that question. Of course, if it had been the opposite, I would have been left without a sermon, and probably figured that congregation certainly didn't need one anyway!

I know in my own life I've tried to follow where I believe Christ was calling me. I haven't always known why, where or what exactly it was going to entail, but I believe for the most part, I've been faithful in that. For most of my life, fortunately, that didn't require too great a distancing. I was able to stay true to what I believe was that call, but as I felt a calling to local Church and community ministry, there were more than sufficient opportunities near the people I knew and loved.

Just last year I finally felt a calling which took me far away from my home in Maryland. I thought I knew what that calling entailed, but obviously, since the specifics of my life here in California have completely changed from what I thought they would be, I was mistaken in that. As a result, I'm still trying myself to figure out just what that calling is, and even if that calling is still a factor.

Still, where it takes us, what it requires of us is somewhat besides the point. We're not called to follow Christ only if it's convenient, or as long as it falls along the lines of our own agendas or desires. We're instead called to take up our cross and follow Christ. We're fortunate and have an edge over those early Disciples; we know a little bit more about what it might cost us to follow Christ, unlike those first ones who no doubt did not have a clue.
I truly wonder how many of us today would have that willingness to drop everything, all our busy-work, all our commitments, all our relationships, and to give up everything to follow Christ? If it was us, today, that Christ walked up to, would he have walked away alone?

For the complete listing of our Devotions, see our Devotions Archive