Matthew 4:18-20 ( NIV)
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
This is the last week on our journey with Jesus because next week we meet in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
This is the last week on our journey with Jesus because next week we meet in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.
So, what if today on our journey in Lent, we were to come face to face with Jesus? We have so many stories of Jesus meeting people: Mary Magdalene (or Mary of Magdala), Peter and the fishermen, the rich young man, , the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, the Syrophoenician (Canaanite) woman, Nicodemus the Pharisee who comes in the night, Mary and Martha and Lazarus and the list goes on. But what if he met us?
Who would he see?
What would we ask of him?
What would he demand of us?
Who would he see?
What would we ask of him?
What would he demand of us?
It’s kind of frightening. After all these people came to Jesus in faith that he could tell them something, do something, bring something to their lives. What if he looked into our eyes, after these two thousand years, and said “These people had yet to learn what you already know.”
And yet we are just like them, we meet Jesus with all our fears and tears, with the hope that this man will make a difference in our lives.
Mary became one of Jesus’ closest companions.
Peter and the disciples followed Jesus listening to his teachings, privy to his thoughts and prayers.
Zacchaeus , well, meeting Jesus changed not only how he lived out his life and his conduct as a tax collector but his perception himself as a tax collector.
The Syrophoenician ( a Gentile) woman’s faith results in Jesus exorcising demons from her daughter.
Nicodemus shows up to bury Jesus in the tomb.
The woman at the well is so taken by the image of living water that Jesus offers her that she runs to tell her village.
The rich young man goes sadly away.
We are not yet on the list, or are we?
What would change in our lives if we take up the challenge to follow Jesus, to love God with all our heart and soul and mind?
And yet we are just like them, we meet Jesus with all our fears and tears, with the hope that this man will make a difference in our lives.
Mary became one of Jesus’ closest companions.
Peter and the disciples followed Jesus listening to his teachings, privy to his thoughts and prayers.
Zacchaeus , well, meeting Jesus changed not only how he lived out his life and his conduct as a tax collector but his perception himself as a tax collector.
The Syrophoenician ( a Gentile) woman’s faith results in Jesus exorcising demons from her daughter.
Nicodemus shows up to bury Jesus in the tomb.
The woman at the well is so taken by the image of living water that Jesus offers her that she runs to tell her village.
The rich young man goes sadly away.
We are not yet on the list, or are we?
What would change in our lives if we take up the challenge to follow Jesus, to love God with all our heart and soul and mind?
What would change in our lives if we take up the challenge to follow Jesus, to love God with all our heart and soul and mind?
Prayer
For each step that I take, be my guide, O Lord.
For each load I may bear, be my strength, O Lord.
For each mountain I may face, be my power, O Lord.
For each river I may cross, be my safety, O Lord
For each place I may rest, be my peace, O Lord.
For each sunrise and sunset be my joy, O Lord.
Prayer
For each step that I take, be my guide, O Lord.
For each load I may bear, be my strength, O Lord.
For each mountain I may face, be my power, O Lord.
For each river I may cross, be my safety, O Lord
For each place I may rest, be my peace, O Lord.
For each sunrise and sunset be my joy, O Lord.
