By Andrew Williams – March 8, 2021
Scripture: For he and all his companions were completely astounded at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon [Peter]. Jesus said to Simon, “Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!” After they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
Luke 5:9-11 AMP
Observation: The part of this passage that caught my eye was, “and so were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon [Peter]”. These guys were friends and partners before they met Christ, and when they began their life of discipleship with Christ they began it TOGETHER!
There are so many stories of persons who have chosen to follow Christ, and in so doing they have left their friends and the world behind. Sometimes they return to evangelize their friends and win them over, but sometimes they just leave them totally behind.
This passage states that all four of them (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) left the old life behind at the same time that they chose to follow Christ. “After they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example.”
Wouldn’t it be great if all our friends chose to follow Christ at the same time, and with the same intensity and obedience that we have?
Application: Starting today I will choose to make disciples of my friends and family. I will choose to serve and follow Jesus Christ together with them because I want them to know Christ the way that I do, and for them to live totally surrendered to Him.
Prayer: Father God help me never to leave my friends behind as I choose to serve You. Help me to speak to them in just the right way, and to live my life in just the right way, so that they too will become disciples of Christ. Amen.