Volume 7: Jesus Called His Disciples 7/23/23

JESUS CALLED HIS DISCIPLES (JOHN 1)

New Christians may find themselves wondering, Now what? What do I do? To answer these questions, we may talk with those new believers about Bible reading, prayer, community, and mission. Though these are all good and essentials things, they alone do not capture Jesus’ initial call to His disciples. 

When Jesus first began calling disciples, He used two words: “Follow Me.” He didn’t say “Clean yourself up” or “Work harder.” He said, “Follow Me.” 

The call to follow Jesus is a call to our souls to find rest. He invites us to be with Him and enjoy Him. Jesus’ invitation is not to be amazing, to do great things, or even to get to work. Jesus’ initial invitation is to follow Him. 

Jesus has most certainly called His followers to go and do good works, but the order in which we heed His calling and instructions is vital to our spiritual health. 

It’s easy for us to get caught up in the activity of God, the work of His mission, and the effort we must engage in to grow as He desires for us; however, these are not to be first. 

God calls us to come to Him; draw near to Him; and to see a glimpse of His goodness, beauty, splendor, and grace. And it is only in seeing these realities that we will go and do faithfully. For if we seek to go and do before we come and see, we will find ourselves in a spiral of constant despair feeling like we are falling short or equally as dangerous, feeling like we must earn our way to God. 

Jesus’ call to His disciples to come and see is the same invitation that we have today. Whether we have walked with God for decades or are new to the faith, our greatest need is to draw near to God and experience His glorious grace. It is then that we will see Him for who He truly is, understand ourselves more fully, and then live faithfully for His glory.