Slices
Prepare
When were you first aware of God’s call to you personally? Whether an immediate moment or part of a process in following Jesus, give thanks that he did indeed call you.
Bible passage
Jesus calls his first disciples
18 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. 19 ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus heals the sick
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and illness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralysed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Explore
It was at a Scripture Union Mission house party on New Year’s Eve that I recall responding to that call to follow Jesus, over 50 years ago! The challenge for us as young people was that our faith was not dependent upon our family’s: not inherited, but personal. Jesus wants you!
The two sets of brothers in today’s passage (v 18) seem to have seen an authority in Jesus which set them apart from their family and which was so powerfully attractive that their response was not just rapid but immediate (v 22). However, it led all of them into dangerous situations, into opposition, and ultimately to martyrdom. The call of Jesus is a dangerous one for many.
As we enter a new year, the world may seem like a dangerous place to be a Christian. May we be people who respond to the daily call to ‘follow me’; trusting in the character and authority of the one who calls us.
How exciting must the early days have been for Peter, Andrew, James and John as they listened to the teaching of Jesus (vs 23–25) and saw God at work through him (vs 23,24). Where are we seeing signs of God’s Kingdom today?
Respond
The one who calls you is faithful. Praise God for each new day and new year’s opportunity to follow and obey.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Malachi 3,4; Revelation 22
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Mission Partner Hunsley Christian Youth Trust as they focus on working in schools to provide support to Christian Unions, help students make the transition from primary to secondary and provide lunchtime activities alongside a range of other schools work.
