6.7.09

Follow Me

In these days filled with twitter hype and competition to see who can attract the most followers, the words of Jesus ring loud and true. He calls us to follow Him.

I was reading in Mark 1 this morning. The Gospel opens with the writer telling us about the mission and message of John the Baptist ... John the Baptist was sent ahead in order to tell people about Jesus. He was preparing the way!!! (I pray my message is the same as the message of JTB.)

Verses 9-13 tell us that Jesus was baptized and then went into the wilderness where He was tempted. After the temptation (vs14), we see Jesus going about proclaiming the Good News of God ... we want to be like Jesus right??? When was the last time we went through the city proclaiming the good news of God?

Verses 16-20 really got my attention. The picture we get of Jesus is that Jesus went about His life proclaiming the Good News of God and asking people to come follow Him.

Look at these words. Read them and ask God to tell you what you are supposed to take away ... Mark 16-20 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

I can see it now ... Jesus, the messiah, the uncreated One, God Himself, walking by the lake, meeting people, telling people He crossed paths with that there is Good News ... and He even took it a step further ... He told them about the Good News and He asked them to drop their way of life and follow Him. That last part blows me away ... drop your way of life and follow ... Think about the ramifications ... drop your income, your rep, your family approval, your way of life and follow a man walking the streets of your city proclaiming the Good New of God ...

From this side of things following Jesus makes perfect sense. I mean I know Jesus is the Son of God. I have the Holy Bible sitting right next to my computer. I have years of life spent around people who believe. From this side of things, it seems like the only way for the disciples to respond was to say yes. Ask me, I say they would have been fools not to take Him up on His offer.

Anyway ... the call of Jesus went out ... Follow Me ... and they followed (go look at verse 18 again).

Its been fun studying this passage today. I love the message God sent me through these few short verses. The challenge He gives me is clear ... I am to point people to Jesus ... I am to live my day telling people the Good News of God ... I should do my part and ask people to follow Jesus ...

Its 11:42am ... I've tried several times to point people to Jesus ... a couple of really good conversations ...Can't wait to see what's next.

before I finish ... I wonder if Jesus would have used Twitter ... I think He would have. I also think Jesus would have used a Mac! haha

Have a great day!!!! Point people to Jesus.