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The Invitation to Life.
The Christian life is simple, not complex. It simply involves your willingness to follow Jesus. That’s the heart of it - responding to Jesus’ invitation. Jesus walked along the seashore and gave invitation to several fishermen who would become His disciples, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18-22. There are such moments that will forever shape and change the rest of your life, an opportunity like no other with potential to open doors to the previously unimagined. But can that be as simple as it sounds?
Following Jesus is simple, but not without cost and commitment. His invitation is an introduction to something so much more than anything presently. They were fishermen and thought to be successful at that. They weren’t looking for a change or better chance. They were diligent, and apparently good at what they did. But Jesus offered them something better; He always does, and He will for you also. They must have carefully thought over Jesus’ words, “make you fishers of men.” What could that mean? But something about Jesus - His own certainty erased their doubts, subdued their questions, and stirred their hearts. See John 1:12.
Matthew seems to have a particular fascination with this theme of following Jesus, maybe because he so vividly remembered Jesus stopping at his tax table and inviting him to follow. Both Matthew and Luke report men who told Jesus they would “follow You wherever You go.” That was high sounding, a blank check of submission until they found the cost of cashing that promise, and then following became secondary to other personal concerns and plans. See Matthew 8:18 –23/ Luke 9:57-62.
Jesus told the story of a wealthy man who had prospered and wanted to gratefully share his blessing with others, whom he invited to a lavish banquet. See Luke 14:16-20. They returned their RSVP to attend, but when the occasion came, they each without exception “began to make excuses.” One could not come as he had said he would because of a subsequent investment needing his attention; another now declined because of a pressing business matter at work; the other found a personal matter and plan requiring his immediate attention.
Make no mistake; Jesus was not talking about anyone or anything other than the superceding importance of matters of His Kingdom and His invitation to those who would follow Him. Excuses will vary and may have some measure of validity, but they remain excuses - good reasons to do what you want instead of what you should. Not much has changed from them to us, has it?
What made the difference between these men who followed Jesus, and the others who intended to do so but didn’t? That really is simple, and very applicable to you today. Matthew wrote, “And immediately they left their nets and followed Jesus.” Matthew 4:20. My thought today is also simple; they could not stay where they were doing what they were doing and follow Jesus. Nor can you!
I also have a very simple question to ask you. What would you have to lay aside to follow Jesus more fully? Each step of progressing discipleship requires a lessening and surrender of your options. To follow Jesus there will always be something that you must leave behind - something you have to lay down, something to release in order to gain so much more. See Mark 10:28-30. What do you think is keeping you from a wholehearted obedience to Jesus?
What makes you cautious about your surrender to Him fully? Is there a relationship/friendship that you will not let go of? A plan of your own that complicates your trust of His? A busyness that you will not lay aside to have personal, intimate time with Jesus? Are there fears or unforgiveness, habits or cherished sins you hold fast to? Again, let me ask: is there anything that you need to leave behind/lay aside to more fully follow Jesus?
Jesus never couched His expectations of the Kingdom. “If any man will be My disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me!” Following Jesus is simple but not cheap or casual - there are places in your life where you will need to deny your own opinions, or preferences, or plans, or priorities - times when you will need to bring your flesh to a cross. Then you are free to fully follow Jesus. His invitation if for you. Your introduction to a new quality and fullness of life awaits you.
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