Read: Matt. 4:18-22 (NET) (AMP); Romans 12:1-2
Did you see that high school yearbook featuring the disciples (before they came to know Jesus)? Below each graduation portrait is a class nickname. James, the Son of Zebedee, and John (brother of James) share the title “Sons of Thunder.” The brothers were never quiet and tended to cause chaos. I can imagine their school years, weekly ending up in the principal’s office for getting into fights on the school grounds. But wait, none of the Disciples (except for Matthew) ever had any higher education. No credentials, no hope of a greater future except for carrying on the family business. None of the Disciples would have made it past a leadership nominating committee. They might apply, but their applications would end up in the trash.
JESUS RECRUITS AND SAYS, “FOLLOW”
That is the wonderful, unique thing about Jesus. He recruits. He doesn’t take applications. Jesus says, “Follow”.
MEANING OF “FOLLOW”
What does “follow” mean? When my sons were little, they loved collecting Transformers, the alien/robot toy that transforms from a vehicle to a powerful, monstrous robot. Transformation means to change from one thing into a different thing. Did the disciples have any idea that following Jesus would involve transformation into the likeness of Christ?
TRANSFORMATION
In the Book of Romans, Paul calls this transformation, this act of sacrificial living, true worship. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.”
For the Jews in Jesus’ day, “sacrifice” was only associated with death. That sacrificial lamb on the altar died. As Jesus followers, we are to present ourselves on God’s altar for His exclusive use. It involves death to what comes naturally for our sin nature. This is both the will of God and the sacrifice for true believers.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?
Rays Stedman asks, “How do you feel about this? Do you regard it as an intrusion, an interruption of your plans and your program? Or do you regard it as an infinite honor that mere creatures may be the full expression of the holy and magnificent life of God? This is what Paul calls an intelligent fulfillment of purpose.
“You can never find the will of God until you start here. Have you ever made an intelligent presentation of yourself, your body, your soul (your emotional and mental life), and your spirit unto God? Have you ever presented yourself as what you are, nothing, so that you may have what He is, everything, and step out into every new day in complete expectation that His life will be manifest in you? That is Christianity. That is the will of God.”
MARK OF A TRUE JESUS FOLLOWER
The mark of a Jesus follower is a transformed life. Christ recruits us to follow Him and to allow Him to change our lives permanently. Jesus does not take applications. He does not search for those who get by without God on their own strength, who are considered the best of the best by this world. Have you ever presented yourself as what you are, nothing, so that you may have what he is, everything, and step out into every new day in complete expectation that his life will be manifest in you? Jesus calls you to follow.