Tag Archives: Calledto Serve

Called to Discipleship

Discipleship

January 24, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14-20
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Why do we think Jesus called fishers to be his first disciples? Did he already know them when he was ready to start his ministry and gathered them together? Or was there something about fishing that made these men particularly important for the group he was gathering? Was it the simple case that they liked what they saw in this man Jesus and left everything to follow him? Perhaps his reason was some of each, but a willingness to serve is paramount in much of Jesus’ teachings. James and John seem to be of a family wealthy enough to have hired hands. They did not need to work to support themselves. I have always wondered what Dad thought about their just walking away, leaving him and those hired hands to do the work. Andrew and Peter may have been in business for themselves. Peter eventually is described as having a mother-in-law, so he must have been married. There is much we do not know. We know these four men saw something in this man Jesus that made them change their lives forever.

We are all called to full-time ministry. Most of us do not become pastors or missionaries. Our ministries are tied to everyday encounters with the people around us, our neighbors, co-workers, family members, store clerks and mechanics, lawyers and doctors, and, yes, the clergy. We are no less disciples of Christ. In some situations, our role as a disciple may be more influential than we think. Our actions do speak louder than our words. That is why we need to be very careful how we illuminate Christ in our daily walk.

Prayer: God of Creation, help us to live our lives in such a way that Christ’s love is apparent in all our words and actions. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

God’s Double Gift of Grace

Advent

November 30, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, O comfort my people,
   says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
   and cry to her
that she has served her term,
   that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
   double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
   and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
   and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
   and all people shall see it together,
   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ –Isaiah 40:1-5

I started my day scanning my emails. Several were contribution solicitations from charities, and some included the statement that for every dollar I donate matching funds would be provided. One would have been three times my gift. Later when I read the familiar scripture provided above and I saw in a new light the phrase that the Lord had paid double to cleanse Jerusalem of all its sins. I must confess I am a little cynical of groups trying to entice me to donate because the funds would be matched. Wouldn’t some entity that generous give the money anyway? And then I realize that is the point. Our forgiveness of sin as individuals and as a nation are undeserved gifts of grace with the Lord doing all the Lord can do to free us from trekking down the wrong paths.

That introductory phrase is followed by a voice crying out that we can help in the Lord’s work by clearing out everything that is proving to be a stumbling block to our full participation in the work God calls us to do. God’s forgiveness is grace and our understanding the gift of grace provides us with the motivation to do our part in spreading the love of God throughout our community, our nation, our world. In times like these, we need to answer that call with no reservations and with all the energy we can muster.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your loving gift of grace. Let it lift us to clear paths for justice and righteousness to flourish. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.