Follow Me

This week we start a two week series with our Devotionals looking at the attributes of a Disciple. We hope these Devo's help you to follow Jesus and grow as a Disciple at this time.

Pause:

Before you start reading this devotional, take a moment to stop what you’re doing, slow down and focus on Jesus. 

Pray and ask him to open your eyes to see as you read the scriptures, and to open your ears to hear as you wait on the leading of the Spirit.

Read:

Mark 1v14-20: “After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: ¹⁵ “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” ¹⁶ As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” ¹⁸ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. ²⁰ Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”

Going Deeper:

Mark 1 is an incredible chapter, because in it we see so much of what defined Jesus’ life and ministry: preaching and teaching, healing the sick and casting out demons, and proclaiming and demonstrating God’s kingdom.

But we also see here, the start of what Jesus gave 3 years of His life and ministry to prioritise and achieve: to make and equip disciples.

Making Disciples was central to Jesus’ life, calendar and ministry philosophy. And everywhere He went and in everything he did for 3 years He travelled and ministered with others, making His life an ongoing example to His followers of what they were to do, and what it looked like to live out the Gospel.

And here, in His calling of the first disciples (Simon and Andrew, James and John) we see 3 things every disciple should prioritise:

1)    Devotion: Disciples follow Jesus.

2)    Transformation: Disciples are changing to become like Jesus.

3)    Mission: Disciples preach the Gospel and make other Disciples.

Devotion:

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were led by God from Egypt to Israel by following a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Today, Christians are lead by God and follow Jesus through prayer, and the direction of the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

Being with and enjoying Jesus is a privilege because He is so beautiful and worthy. We are a people who both get to enjoy ‘life and life to the full’ in our relationship with Him, and who are called to ‘die to self’ and ‘pick up our cross and follow Him.’

Transformation:

Galatians 4v19: “My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you.”

Paul’s hard work in ministry was about transformation and change; to see communities of Christians growing to know, follow and become like Jesus. That is what He lived for, and what all pastors and Christian leaders are intending to do as they are ministering to people.

Discipleship was also not something new to Jesus’ followers, and had been around for a long time. Disciples knew what they were there to do. They were to learn from their teacher, become like them and then do what they did and carry on their work after their death. It was the same for Jesus’ early disciples, and it is the same for us today. 

“Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be, if he were you.” – Dallas Willard

“In fact, discipleship to Jesus is about one simple question: if Jesus were me, if he lived in my City, had my job, my education, made my salary, had my family, how would he live?” – John Mark Comer

Mission:

Jesus called His disciples to fish for people. When He said this, He was calling them to join Him in His work of witnessing to the Gospel, and helping other people to begin to follow Jesus and become disciples too.

For each of us -  whether we are introverted or extroverted, shy or outgoing, articulate or someone who stumbles over our words – we are called to play a role in sharing the Gospel with others and making disciples by sharing what Jesus has done in our own lives, and how we have learned to follow Him.

The Church exists to preach the Gospel and make disciples of the world. This is why we plant Churches, give generously, pray, serve, send people out, and equip and raise up leaders. It is all to multiply disciples and spread the Gospel so that more people may come to know Jesus.

Pray:

Respond to God in prayer by speaking to Him about what stood out to you from this passage this morning.
 
Listen:

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you this morning?
 
Apply:

What are you going to do in response to what God is saying to you from the text and by the Spirit?