2 It is written in the prophet Yesha‘yahu,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare the way before you.”[a]
3 “The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert prepare the way for Adonai!
Make straight paths for him!’”[b]
4 So it was that Yochanan the Immerser appeared in the desert, proclaiming an immersion involving turning to God from sin in order to be forgiven. 5 People went out to him from all over Y’hudah, as did all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim. Confessing their sins, they were immersed by him in the Yarden River. 6 Yochanan wore clothes of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed: “After me is coming someone who is more powerful than I — I’m not worthy even to bend down and untie his sandals. 8 I have immersed you in water, but he will immerse you in the Ruach HaKodesh.”
9 Shortly thereafter, Yeshua came from Natzeret in the Galil and was immersed in the Yarden by Yochanan. 10 Immediately upon coming up out of the water, he saw heaven torn open and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; 11 then a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased with you.”
12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by the Adversary. He was with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
14 After Yochanan had been arrested, Yeshua came into the Galil proclaiming the Good News from God:
15 “The time has come,
God’s Kingdom is near!
Turn to God from your sins
and believe the Good News!”
16 As he walked beside Lake Kinneret, he saw Shim‘on and Andrew, Shim‘on’s brother, casting a net into the lake; for they were fishermen. 17 Yeshua said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you into fishers for men!” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 Going on a little farther, he saw Ya‘akov Ben-Zavdai and Yochanan, his brother, in their boat, repairing their nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zavdai in the boat with the hired men and went after Yeshua.[Footnotes:
Mark 1:2 Malachi 3:1
Mark 1:3 Isaiah 40:3]
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people” (Mk. 1:17).
"Becoming Disciples" by KELSEY BECK
As we read the story of Jesus calling His first disciples, we might realize that the words “Come, follow me,” are more than dialogue between characters—they are living words that confront us with the authority of the living God. But how do we respond to these words? That is, how do we follow Christ? For further insight into this question, it is valuable to compare translations of verse 17. The ESV renders it, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” [emphasis mine]. Many other versions use similar wording. This language reveals that the call to follow Jesus is not a summons to dutifully march behind Him as He works in the world. Instead, it is an invitation to be fundamentally changed so that we can participate in His work. Thus, Jesus’ promise to make Simon and Andrew into witnesses is more than a figure of speech. He doesn’t choose people for what they are, but for what He will make them. He is forming us into new creations with every step of our journey with Him. Ultimately, the call to follow is only the beginning. Are you ready to become a disciple?
Hymn for Today: “Jesus Calls Us” by Cecil F. Alexander
1. Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
of our life's wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
saying, "Christian, follow me!"
2. As of old the apostles heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving all for Jesus' sake.
3. Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world's golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, "Christian, love me more!"
4. In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
"Christian, love me more than these!"
5. Jesus calls us! By thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.
Thought for Today:
We obey the call as we follow the path of His nail scarred feet.
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Benin.____________________________
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