What If They Said No?
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were 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.” (Matthew 5:18-19)
As I read this passage two things dropped into my mind. First, if I were the one choosing potential leaders of my movement, I would have bypassed these guys and sought others with more political clout.
I'm glad Jesus doesn't chose people like I do.
The second thing I noticed – they left their livelihoods to follow Jesus. And follow Him they did, wherever He led . . . even to their own martyrdom.
What if Simon Peter and Andrew had said no to Jesus? What if they’d decided to stay with the family business and not risk their fortunes on this itinerant preacher’s ideas? A few verses later Jesus calls two others, James and John. They also left their work to follow Him. How different would our church look today if they had said no?
For one thing, we wouldn’t have the three epistles of John, the Revelation or the Gospel of John. Nor would we have Peter’s epistles. Think how much poorer the Church would be today without those writings. And how much did Andrew’s influence, and James’ influence enrich the early church? How many men and women came to faith because of their lives and words and witness?
Only eternity knows. But I know they – and our heavenly Father -- are glad they said yes.
Perhaps more important – how much poorer would the church be TODAY, if YOU had said no? Who have you touched for eternity with Christ by your life, words and witness?
Only eternity knows. But I know they – and our heavenly Father --are glad you said yes.
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Rich
rmaffeo@comcast.net
As I read this passage two things dropped into my mind. First, if I were the one choosing potential leaders of my movement, I would have bypassed these guys and sought others with more political clout.
I'm glad Jesus doesn't chose people like I do.
The second thing I noticed – they left their livelihoods to follow Jesus. And follow Him they did, wherever He led . . . even to their own martyrdom.
What if Simon Peter and Andrew had said no to Jesus? What if they’d decided to stay with the family business and not risk their fortunes on this itinerant preacher’s ideas? A few verses later Jesus calls two others, James and John. They also left their work to follow Him. How different would our church look today if they had said no?
For one thing, we wouldn’t have the three epistles of John, the Revelation or the Gospel of John. Nor would we have Peter’s epistles. Think how much poorer the Church would be today without those writings. And how much did Andrew’s influence, and James’ influence enrich the early church? How many men and women came to faith because of their lives and words and witness?
Only eternity knows. But I know they – and our heavenly Father -- are glad they said yes.
Perhaps more important – how much poorer would the church be TODAY, if YOU had said no? Who have you touched for eternity with Christ by your life, words and witness?
Only eternity knows. But I know they – and our heavenly Father --are glad you said yes.
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Rich
rmaffeo@comcast.net
posted by rich at
9:01 PM
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