March 10

Everything?

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples (Luke 14:33).

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20; Luke 14:25-33

Song: “I Surrender All”

Maybe you’ve seen it. The meme shows Jesus on one knee facing a little girl, who—with both hands—is holding onto her very small teddy bear. Jesus is extending one hand, as if asking for her prized possession.

The child can’t see that Jesus, with His other hand, is holding a much larger, nicer teddy behind His back. She replies, “But I love it, God.”

Jesus says, “Just trust Me.”

Simon, Andrew, James, and John were not searching for Jesus that day by the Sea of Galilee. They were busy working. Jesus came seeking them. Their hands were full of fishing nets, but when they heard His invitation to follow Him, they immediately dropped those nets. They left the boats, the family business, and the expectations of others. Left it all. Everything. To follow Him.

They trusted Him. Was the exchange worth it? Peter said it this way when Jesus later asked if they would leave Him: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Worth it? Yes! Any and every exchange is worth Jesus.

Lord of All, we offer everything to You, for You are good, and what You do is good. In You is peace incomprehensible, joy replete, and life eternal. We want to be sheep to no other shepherd. For the sake of the name. Amen.