No book could include all of the works and words of Jesus in His ministry; because, His ministry was broader than any book could contain. Each gospel presents portions of that journey that we might see Him, clearly. The book of Mark did not include the ministry of Jesus in Nazareth prior to His arrival in Capernaum. We know from Matthew and Luke, that He did and that there was a crowd following after Him, seeking to hear His message and to receive miracles of healing. Mark only told us as we noted in the previous post that Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God calling men to repent and believe. Neither are we told in Mark about the miracle of fishing that Peter had witnessed; because, Mark wanted to present one question. Will you leave all and follow when Jesus calls?
God presents Himself to all humanity. He presents Himself in the heart of men, women, and children through many ways. Yet, the question always is the same: “Will you forsake all else to follow when Jesus calls?” Jesus, Himself spoke of what true discipleship means in Luke 9:23: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily to follow me.” What is the cross that He has asked you to bear? Has He asked you to lay aside some desire or dream to follow Him? Do you see Him as so great a treasure, that you are willing to forsake all to follow Jesus?
When Jesus Calls
“Now as He walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon (Peter) and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, ‘Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ And straightway they forsook their nets and followed Him.”
James and John were called the same way and immediately left their father and the hired servants and followed Jesus. They left behind their lucrative business, we know this because they had hired servants. No more would their life be one of prestige and honor. Ultimately, they would willingly face hardship, imprisonment, and death to proclaim the gospel message to the world.
God had promised in Jeremiah that He would send fishers to pull men out of the nets of sin. He would call them from the depths of the seas of lies, idolatry, and sin from which they were drowning to know Him as Lord. Furthermore, He would not only call the Jewish nation; He would use these fishers of men to draw the Gentiles to Him.
Jeremiah 16: 16, 19-21
“Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them….O Lord, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, ‘Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The Lord.”
Jesus Calls You to Follow Him
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:19-21
So, my question to you is the same, “Will you leave all your sins behind, forsaking yourself and follow when Jesus calls? He is calling. Now it is up to you to either turn away or to answer His call.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
JUST RELEASED
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Recently released Books Available
ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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