They Forsook All
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Straight to the Cross
Happy new year, world! Make it the year of the
Lord's favor in your life. From the Forthright
team.
COLUMN: Fidelity
They Forsook All
by Mike Benson
Fishing was their livelihood. It put food on their
table and a roof over their heads. Fishing "paid
the bills." But these two brothers quit their
boats and nets and immediately followed Jesus
(Mark 1:18).
Remember also that Simon and Andrew not only left
their jobs, but their families as well (Mark 1:30;
cf. Matt. 19:27). It was like being in the army
reserves and receiving a call to serve in Iraq.
The brothers had already met and spent time with
Jesus (cf. Matt. 4:18), but some time later He
summoned them to active, permanent duty.
Vocation. Close relatives. Simon and Andrew walked
away from both. "So when they had brought their
boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him"
(Luke 5:11; cf. Gen. 12:1). Read those words again
slowly. Let them sink down into your heart. "...
They forsook all ..."
Would you quit your job at a moment's notice?
Would you close your business on an impulse, pack
your bags, and then bid farewell to your loved
ones for an undisclosed length of time? No? Simon
Peter and Andrew did.
Now stay with me for a moment. Don't get lost.
Could this be why some of us never set and attain
genuine New Year's resolutions? Could this be why
many are unwilling to pursue real change in their
lives? Could this be why goals are often little
more than lofty "pie-in-the-sky" wishes? You see,
following Jesus means leaving certain things
behind (cf. Mark 10:28; Luke 5:28; 18:28). It
means forsaking our nets and walking away from the
lazy comfort of the status quo. For children of
God, it means constantly changing our "spiritual
street address" (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18) and
venturing into unknown territory (cf. Heb. 11:8).
For Simon and Andrew it meant surrendering
familial bonds, shutting down their "seafood
restaurant" and living out of their suitcases
(Luke 9:3). (It's one thing to do a weekend gospel
meeting in another state; it's another thing
entirely to become a full-time, traveling
missionary). Where would they sleep at night? How
would their meals be provided? There were no
welfare programs to help the brothers find housing
during their "tour of duty" in Palestine. The
Roman government certainly didn't offer food
stamps to itinerant Jewish preachers. They
couldn't depend on monthly social security checks
to "make ends meet". They just left; "... they
forsook ALL ..."
Maybe that's why so many of us shun the
opportunities afforded by the new year. Maybe we
reject the promise of self-improvement and growth
because (1) resolutions require legitimate change
-- i.e., leaving, (2) change means uncertainty,
and (3) uncertainty scares us. The fear of the
unknown is paralyzing, and so we never leave our
boats and nets for the real "trophy catch" (Phil.
3:13-14):
• Starting and maintaining a regular exercise
program demands self-discipline (i.e., sweaty
exercise sessions, calisthenics, etc.).
Uncertainty whispers, "What if I fail and even
gain more weight?"
• Curbing a hot temper requires much more than an
empty promise at the start of January. Fear
inquires, "What happens if, in a moment of
weakness, I 'lose it' again? Then what?"
• Learning to teach an adult auditorium Bible
class means leaving the quiet confines of a padded
pew and standing in front of people who sometimes
know more Scripture than we do (cf. Heb. 5:12-14).
Are we really willing to "forsake all" in the
interest of the maturation of our faith (Gal.
5:22-23; Col. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-11) and the good
pleasure of our heavenly Father?
What about you, dear Christian? Are YOU willing to
forsake all? Can you, like Simon and Andrew, leave
your nets and boats and step out in faith for the
journey ahead?
The calendar says Thursday, January 1, 2004. I
urge you to leave -- immediately.
All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I
freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, in His
presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His
feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me,
Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give
myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy
blessings fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I
surrender all.
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