Tag Archives: following Jesus

Is it really worth knowing about God and serving Jesus?

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:8-11

The other days reading in Luke’s treatise addressed to his old friend Theophilus, in the account of when Simon Peter, John and James, and possibly other fishermen not mentioned in the account, witnessed Jesus’ power to cause an impressive miracle, to raise fish where there were none, and as a result, each one’s decision to leave everything to follow Jesus, I couldn’t help but ask, What really led Peter, John and James to make such a decision to follow Jesus?

Although only Peter’s mother-in-law is mentioned in one of the accounts (4:38), all of them had a family to support, the proof of this was their trade; for ancient times the trade that each one exercised was caused by the need to support a family, not by the fact of developing a profession. So, having a family that depended on them for their daily sustenance, how is it possible that they were willing to leave everything to follow Jesus?

Although there was faith conviction resulting from the teachings of Jesus at the seashore that day, and by the miracle of supernatural fishing, how could it weigh more than the commitment of family men to bring sustenance to their respective families? What about the commitment they made to their wives’ parents when they married them? In the Jewish tradition, the father of the bride maintains responsibility for his married daughters.[1]

That day the fishermen left their trade, their families, their responsibility to the community, literally, they left everything. Why? What did the fishermen find in Jesus who were willing to make such a decision?

If they, the fishermen, were willing to give up everything, it means that it is worth knowing God and following Jesus; but what is the benefit?

The story in question describes that that morning, before the miracle took place, people crowded around him to hear the word of God. Is it worth knowing about God and following Jesus?

It is worth it if we want to know what God thinks of us, if we are interested in knowing how He sees our decisions, and how He weighs our actions; people had gathered at the seashore this time not as other times, to buy fish, but to hear God’s voice. Life is not only about who we are and/or what we can become, it is about knowing what God’s purpose is for each one of us; it is about knowing the life plans He has designed.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

The miracle was not only for three fishermen, or the fishermen who had been with them, the miracle was for all the crowds that morning by the sea. Is it worth knowing God and following Jesus?

It is worth it if we accept to live under the knowledge that God cares for those who are willing to trust Him. That morning something different happened to previous mornings, people who came to the place looking to buy fish received the fish for free, they did not pay for them. Luke’s testimony in his narrative describes how so many fish were enclosed in the net that his net was broken, so much so that it was necessary to ask for the help of another boat to come and help them; and even so, they filled both boats so that they flooded.

Supernatural fishing was not the only miracle of supernatural provision that they experienced; later in their walk with Jesus the fishermen lived other experiences of multiplication, one of five loaves among five thousand men,[2] another of seven loaves among four thousand,[3]  and Peter, of provision to pay the Temple tax.[4]

In compiling the doctrine of Jesus, Luke recorded in his writing to Theophilus what would later become the foundation of faith in Jesus and the Kingdom of God on earth,

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (12:22-31)

It is worthwhile to know God and to follow Jesus if we are willing to depend on His provision: seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Luke concludes the account of supernatural fishing by describing the fundamental part of the reason for the miracle: When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: (5:8-9)

No miracles were provoked to show the capacity of Jesus over nature, which is really ostentation; miracles were performed to provoke a reaction in people toward God, to turn toward Him,

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:31

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. Luke 5:26

Simon Peter knelt down to Jesus, which means that he recognized Jesus’ Lordship over him, and denounced and confessed himself a sinner, which means the first step of repentance to receive the salvation of the Kingdom of God.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1st. John 1:9

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:8-9

Is it worth knowing about God and following Jesus? Yes, it is worth knowing God and following Jesus if we are willing to denounce and confess our sin and turn away from it. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.[5]

Yes, it is worth knowing about God and following Jesus if we are willing to submit to His Lordship, if we are willing to obey His Voice and walk by His Word.

Yes, it is worth knowing about God and following Jesus if we are willing to give up everything for His sake.

What led Peter, John and James to make the decision to abandon everything by following Jesus was that that morning they had an encounter with God. Everything they abandoned is not to compare with what they found: they found Eternal Life.

Do you want to know about God?

What do you think, is it worth serving Jesus? Of course, what is worth serving Jesus is not based on the benefits we receive in return; it is about understanding the awesomeness of the spiritual experience of communion with the Lord, it is about understanding the Grace of having been deemed worthy to share in His Glory.

 

All biblical quotations are taken from the King James Version.

 

Pastor Pedro Montoya

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[1] Genesis 34.12; Exodus 22.16-17; 1 Samuel 18.25

[2] Mathew 16:9

[3] Idem 16:10

[4] Idem 17:27

[5] Romans 6:23

Why is following Jesus so hard?

Whether we live in a region where Christians are persecuted or not, we must ask ourselves how easy – or how difficult – it is to follow Jesus.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is God’s expression for the recovery of humanity, as Jesus himself said when speaking of his ministry, which had come to “save that which was lost.”

Establishing the Kingdom of God among a humanity inclined to wickedness entails the execution of a spiritual protocol. It is not a question of observing and practicing a religious structure with ritual characteristics, particular and specific, which make it unique and give it value. It is an operation where the power of the Spirit of God himself is present.

Resistance, opposition and persecution to the Gospel of the Kingdom, and to its proclaimers, is due to the fact that the realm of darkness is threatened to be stripped of people and territories that it has claimed for years as its own, and therefore seek that those who proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom desist from their purpose and function of proclamation.

In light of this definition, how much does it cost to serve Jesus? What percentage, if any, achieves that task?

Seeking an answer to this question, the Lord led me to the following text:

“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Acts 1:21-23

And then, the Lord proceeded to explain to me.

When the reader of the Gospels reads in its pages the works of our Lord Jesus Christ, he immediately observes that countless people followed him during his period in ministry.

Let’s make a brief overview of his earthly ministry. Let’s start from this quote from Matthew’s Gospel

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

He began his ministry just as soon as he was 30 years old, just as the Mosaic Law required ministries to begin:

from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting. Numbers 4:3

From that moment on, the people recognized him as coming from God.

Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:24

He settled in Capernaum and taught many people.

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. Matthew 8:1

The most striking miracles were the feeding of multitudes, the first to more than five thousand people,

Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:21

And then the second, about four thousand people,

Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 15:38

The biblical texts chosen are a sufficient measure to show the quantity of people who followed Jesus during the three and a half years that his earthly ministry lasted.

The biblical texts chosen are a sufficient measure to show the quantity of people who followed Jesus during the three and a half years that his earthly ministry lasted.

However, in reviewing the requirements that the apostles proposed to select the successor of Judas, they determined as a condition of selection that the successor should have been present with them from the moment when Jesus was baptized by John, at least, until the day that He ascended to heaven;

“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Acts 1:21-22

The interesting thing about the case is that only two people fulfilled that requirement:

And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Acts 1:23

This is what led me to reflect on the matter. How is it possible that so many people followed Jesus during his earthly ministry, and only two of them remained to the end?

The people who followed him some were because they sought only personal gain, as is clear from the confrontation quoted by John:

Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. John 6:26

Others were impacted by the doctrine which he imparted, but when they saw the demands of it, like the rich young man, they decided to stay on the road.

But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. Luke 18:23

Even the apostle Peter recognized the harshness of Jesus’ doctrine.

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” John 6:60

Yes, it is hard and difficult to follow Jesus, no one can deny it, even Jesus himself said that the way of eternal life is narrow, and few walk on it.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

But why is it so hard and so difficult to follow Jesus?

It’s hard and difficult, for two reasons. The first reason is that human beings are inclined towards evil, and towards the selfish satisfaction of their own benefits.

The second reason, because the realm of darkness has arrogated right over humanity.

To follow Jesus means to die to selfish nature, and by the strength of the Holy Spirit resulting from the new birth, to fight against the darkness and subject it to the obedience of Christ.

It costs, yes, but it is not a personal or individual struggle. The redemptive work of the Cross enables us to overcome sin and authorizes us to defeat the kingdom of darkness.

It all begins with a decision, the decision to want to do it through Jesus. It is your decision.

 

 

All biblical texts are taken from the New King James Version  NKJV

Pastor Pedro Montoya

Twitter: @pastormontoya