Giving It All Up
Posted on Jan 17, 2023 by Shari Van Baale
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, (Jesus) saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
(Matthew 4:18-22)
It always strikes me in this passage how easily the early disciples stopped what they were doing and gave up everything to follow Jesus. Had they heard news of him from others? Did they sense something in him that made them want to give up their lives without a word to friends, family, and loved ones and follow him completely? Were they intrigued by his invitation?
Jesus never told them where they were going or exactly what they would be doing. But they immediately gave it all up to follow him. How amazing is that?! They immediately stopped working and left it all behind to accept his call. They didn’t ask to go home first to say goodbye or pick up material possessions. They left right on the spot.
In this still new year, ask yourself what is keeping you from following Jesus completely and with your whole heart like those early disciples. Are you afraid of what others might think? Are there things you are holding on to that prevent you from giving it all to Jesus?
With 2023 still in its early stages, I pray that this is the year you give it all up and follow him completely, just as those early disciples did. Jesus calls all of us just as he did Peter, Andrew, James, and John. If we are willing to follow him, he can do amazing things for us and through us. Will you accept his call?
Shari Van Baale
Salem Communications Coordinator