Week 2: Jesus Begins His Ministry
Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-42
Following Jesus is no small matter.
It is a moment of total surrender and bowing down to the One who belongs on the throne.
In America, we have two distinct moments we like to label in our stories. The first is the “belief” moment. The second is the “Lordship” moment. Yet, Jesus and Paul are very clear that for the follower of Christ, they are the same moment.
“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
Jesus calls His disciples to recognize that He is Lord immediately. We believe that He is Lord and confess it.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).
When Jesus calls us, He doesn’t call us in steps, but it is a constant call to surrender to Him daily. To Him who is Lord, to Him who was raised from the dead, to Him who was and is and is to come.
Where do you need to surrender? What areas of your life have you forgotten that Jesus sits on the throne as Lord of all? Submit to Him joyfully, for His ways are better than your own.
