I have been reading through the book of Matthew lately, and I can’t help but take notice of the tremendous faith and total obedience seen in the disciples of Jesus. When Jesus called them, they did not hesitate...
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said... AT ONCE, they left their nets and followed him. -Matthew 4:19-20
Jesus called them, and IMMEDIATELY they left the boat and their father and followed him. -Matthew 4:21-22
They were in the middle of their normal lives. Spending time with their families, doing the jobs that provided for their well-being, living in a comfortable spot. But they had such faith in the name of Jesus Christ that they gave up everything in front of them to follow Him.
So often we see players not doing what the coach tells them. Whether they accidentally messed up the play, forgot what to do, or they just thought that they knew better than the coach, they didn’t follow the instructions given. I have definitely been guilty of letting this be me in my walk with Jesus. It’s easy to think I know better or just assume I know what the Lord wants me to do without ever asking for His guidance. We live in a broken world where people are scared of stepping on other people’s toes, looking like a crazy person, or being politically correct.
Later on, in Matthew, Jesus instructs His disciples to go into the city and retrieve two donkeys for Him. Now we know that Jesus had a plan, and He knew everything that was going to happen beforehand. BUT, to any normal onlooker, it would seem as if He was telling them to just pop into this city and steal someone else’s farm animals. Call me crazy, but that command would make me real nervous! AND STILL it says that “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.” (21:6) In sports terms- He gave them the next play, and even though they did not necessarily agree with the call, they obeyed. They simply WENT and DID as they were told! Even when it was nuts! How many times have I just chosen to “not” because I thought it was crazy?!
Y’all, Jesus calls His disciples (which includes us) to a CRAZY faith. They left EVERYTHING and followed Him. They followed Him into situations that probably didn’t “make sense” at the time- like stealing donkeys and walking on water. But they walked with Jesus. They saw, they believed, and they trusted. I want to be THAT faithful, THAT trusting, and THAT obedient. I too want to drop everything in my hands to follow Him wherever He calls. And I hope their example here encourages you to do the same this week.
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20
-Shannon Purvis
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said... AT ONCE, they left their nets and followed him. -Matthew 4:19-20
Jesus called them, and IMMEDIATELY they left the boat and their father and followed him. -Matthew 4:21-22
They were in the middle of their normal lives. Spending time with their families, doing the jobs that provided for their well-being, living in a comfortable spot. But they had such faith in the name of Jesus Christ that they gave up everything in front of them to follow Him.
So often we see players not doing what the coach tells them. Whether they accidentally messed up the play, forgot what to do, or they just thought that they knew better than the coach, they didn’t follow the instructions given. I have definitely been guilty of letting this be me in my walk with Jesus. It’s easy to think I know better or just assume I know what the Lord wants me to do without ever asking for His guidance. We live in a broken world where people are scared of stepping on other people’s toes, looking like a crazy person, or being politically correct.
Later on, in Matthew, Jesus instructs His disciples to go into the city and retrieve two donkeys for Him. Now we know that Jesus had a plan, and He knew everything that was going to happen beforehand. BUT, to any normal onlooker, it would seem as if He was telling them to just pop into this city and steal someone else’s farm animals. Call me crazy, but that command would make me real nervous! AND STILL it says that “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.” (21:6) In sports terms- He gave them the next play, and even though they did not necessarily agree with the call, they obeyed. They simply WENT and DID as they were told! Even when it was nuts! How many times have I just chosen to “not” because I thought it was crazy?!
Y’all, Jesus calls His disciples (which includes us) to a CRAZY faith. They left EVERYTHING and followed Him. They followed Him into situations that probably didn’t “make sense” at the time- like stealing donkeys and walking on water. But they walked with Jesus. They saw, they believed, and they trusted. I want to be THAT faithful, THAT trusting, and THAT obedient. I too want to drop everything in my hands to follow Him wherever He calls. And I hope their example here encourages you to do the same this week.
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20
-Shannon Purvis
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