4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Shim‘on, “Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Shim‘on answered, “We’ve worked hard all night long, Rabbi, and haven’t caught a thing! But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” 6 They did this and took in so many fish that their nets began to tear. 7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; and they came and filled both boats to the point of sinking. 8 When he saw this, Shim‘on Kefa fell at Yeshua’s knees and said, “Get away from me, sir, because I’m a sinner!” 9 For astonishment had seized him and everyone with him at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and likewise both Ya‘akov and Yochanan, Shim‘on’s partners. “Don’t be frightened,” Yeshua said to Shim‘on, “from now on you will be catching men — alive!” 11 And as soon as they had beached their boats, they left everything behind and followed him.
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"The Cost of Discipleship" by Author: Kelsey Beck
As we continue exploring the call of discipleship, a question arises: What does the call require of us? The answer comes when we read that Peter and his companions “left everything” to follow Jesus. After seeing Jesus’ divine power displayed, these men could see nothing else but the eternal hope He offered.
Other Christ-seekers were not so responsive. In a later chapter of Luke, we read of a rich ruler who sought everlasting life. Though Jesus promised that those who give up everything will “receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18:30), the ruler was unwilling to surrender his wealth in pursuit heavenly treasure.
Jesus’ message is clear—the call to be a disciple is all-consuming. It cannot be compromised—it can only be lived wholeheartedly.
It is not always easy to let go. Left to ourselves, we find things to cling to—things we hope will give us life. But no life exists apart from Christ. Why would we grasp after gifts when we can have the Giver?
Hymn for Today: “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” by Henry F. Lyte
1. Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou, from hence, my all shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I’ve sought, and hoped, and known;
Yet how rich is my condition,
God and Christ are still my own!
2. Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like man, untrue;
And, while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate, and friends disown me;
Show Thy face, and all is bright.
3. Man may trouble and distress me,
’Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Christ will bring me sweeter rest.
O ’tis not in grief to harm me,
While Thy love is left to me;
O ’twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.
4. Haste then on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
God’s eternal day’s before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
Thought for Today:Placing confidence in Jesus frees us to follow Him in spite of our shortcomings (Session Truth).Please pray:
That many people in Botswana will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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