Week 1: Introduction - The Call to Follow Jesus Text: Matthew 4:18-22
Recap:
The Call to Discipleship – Jesus' call to
"Follow me" is not merely an invitation to leave one's occupation but
a beckoning into an entirely new way of life—a life centered around the Kingdom
of God.
-The transformative power of this call, where the ordinary
becomes extraordinary through divine purpose. The fishermen's immediate
response signifies a heart already prepared for transformation, an openness to
the divine that we must cultivate in our own lives. This is a call to spiritual
formation, where every aspect of our being is reoriented toward Christ.
The Language of Following – The Greek word
"akoloutheō" (ἀκολουθέω)
[ak-ol-oo-theh'-o] implies not just physical following but a deep, relational
adherence. It is the language of discipleship that involves a lifelong journey,
a pilgrimage where every step is taken in the Master’s footsteps.
-Following indicates a relational depth of call, suggesting
that following Jesus is about intimacy and obedience, much like the
relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. It’s a call to know and be
known, to walk with God in the ordinariness of our daily routines.
The Spirit's Movement – We must focus on the
immediacy and spontaneity of the disciples' response. There is a sense of the
Spirit's movement here, an undeniable pull that causes Simon and Andrew, and
later James and John, to leave everything without hesitation.
-This is a moment of divine encounter, where the presence of
Jesus is so compelling that it breaks through the mundane and calls forth a
radical response. This is the essence of revival, a Spirit-led movement where
lives are dramatically changed by the call of Christ.
The Depths of Spiritual Discipline – The act of
leaving their nets symbolizes the beginning of a life of discipline and
intentionality. The type of practices that sustain such a commitment include:
solitude, prayer, study, and service. These practices create a fertile ground
for deep spiritual growth and transformation.
-Jesus call to a radical commitment to spiritual formation,
is mirrored by the disciples' decision to forsake all for the sake of following
Jesus.
