Jesus draws out responses. He wants people to leave their old securities behind and follow him. He calls the ordinary and the excluded; fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots and lepers. People respond - the disciples leave everything to become his followers; a leper falls at his feet; and some men dismantle a roof. This is the first day of the rest of their lives; lives which forever would be changed. The presence of Jesus transforms peoples’ priorities.
• ‘When Christ calls a person, he bids them come and die’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer). How does the call of Jesus make you feel?
• What does it mean for you to follow Jesus today?
• Is there anything you need to leave behind?
• What does it mean for you not to centre your world on your career or your brokenness?
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." He did a lot of abiding so he could do all his abounding. Food for thought.
ReplyDeleteIn the past I found these phrases challenging but in a negative sense, dying, broken, giving up - but being His disciple is much more about being called, chosen to do, chosen to be a joint heir, called to let our light shine - being called is a challenge but no longer negative but one of great and ever increasing opportunity.
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