The Great Invitation
How would you respond if someone were to ask, “How committed are you to following Jesus?” Some of us might get offended. “What? I’m totally committed. I’d die for him.” Others might not be as confident, but with head hung low, confess one’s lack of devotion. We want to follow Jesus but our actions defy our desires.
What does commitment look like? Various definitions include statements like “devoted,” “pledged,” and “resolved.” One dictionary says that commitment is “an obligation that restricts freedom of action.”
When I commit, my options become limited. I’m locked into a definite course of action. My path narrows and freedom of decision is restricted.
For example, if I have a meeting on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., I am restricted in my evening options. If I am really devoted to being present at the meeting. Otherwise, it is not really a commitment if I can easily alter my plans by choosing to do something else.
When Jesus called his first disciples to “follow me,” he was inviting them to walk the road of submission, where they would willingly forgo their own wisdom to entrust themselves fully to the ways and will of the Christ.
Mark 1:16-20 demonstrates this in dramatic fashion.
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Failed Disciples
If you are unfamiliar with how rabbinical training took place in ancient Israel, a teacher would invite students into a unique relationship of life and training, where the disciples’ aim was not only to learn the content of the rabbi’s message but to imitate the discipler’s life. It was instruction by immersion that demanded total dedication to the process. For such resolve, one had to believe the outcome would be worth the investment.
James and John were in the family fishing business. They were not rich but made a living. The same was true for Simon and Andrew.
What would cause them to give up their livelihood and walk away from security and family loyalty? Most likely, this wasn’t the first time these men had encountered Jesus. When they receive “the call,” they get up and follow him “at once,” or as the ESV translates their urgency, “immediately.”
They were not hypnotized or under a spell. The men are willing to follow this peasant preacher because they had some expectation that he was special. Maybe they couldn’t put their finger on it. But they had a sense. Giving it all up for Jesus would be worth it.
They were committed.
But can we be honest? These strong, able-bodied workers of the sea are not the heroes of Mark’s gospel. Not even close. We know that their commitment would give out. By the end of the account of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he is left alone—to die.
The original disciples who had shown such early commitment were revealed as cowards. They had one job. Be faithful to the teacher. Yet they failed.
What Changed?
Then something happened to these and the other followers of Jesus. No longer did they cower and hide, denying Jesus. They stood up and boldly proclaimed him as the crucified, risen, and reigning King. For most of them, a commitment to Jesus led to their own deaths as martyrs.
What changed? Being filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was a major influence. Along with that internal renewal of courage, I think that something else stood out as the dynamite the Spirit used to empower their newfound devotion.
They witnessed the commitment of Jesus.
In his incarnation, he had one job—to save sinners. Locking himself into a definite, unalterable course of action, his options were limited and freedom of choice was restricted. With determined resolve, he walked the ultimate road of submission by entrusting himself without hesitation to the will of the Father.
In his unreserved commitment to save these fishermen from their sins, Jesus was crucified, being judged in their place and setting them free from the condemnation they deserved. They had pledged their commitment but faltered. But not Jesus. His loyalty proved resilient to the very end.
It is that devotion of the Savior that fueled the disciples’ devotion to Jesus. As Paul would say in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “It is the love of Christ that compels us.” This is the motivating power of grace.
It is the same grace that you and I need to receive if we are to be committed to the Jesus who is committed to us. Like the original disciples, we will fall and fail. Maybe you won’t. If so, well done. But for the rest of us, it will serve us well to keep our eyes fixed on the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross as an act of devotion for those whom he came to save.
Praise God Jesus was convinced that his investment was worth it.
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May God bless you for this very important article and devotional. The Spirit got My attention and word's flowed I was filled with wisdom and answer to My continual prayer Lord i hunger for your wisdom and More of your Love to flow in and out of. I Just stopped using The excise or (believing the devil's lie, ) I don't know how to speak properly of the love and change within for I seriously had little positive affirmations (didn't even know this was a thing untill age 47) spoken in my presence during My formative years. My parents and family , did better than theirs and I felt loved and protective, very close slightly dysfunctional family . My Mom taught us about jesus and took us to Church and her love and meek and humble devotion is Legendary. I the grateful.