Seaside Story

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets." Luke 5:1-2

I love stories about Jesus!

Don't you?

Never has there been a more compelling person on planet earth!

This is one of the captivating stories from the early years of Jesus' ministry because it records the calling of His first followers.

If you are a follower of Christ or if you are investigating what it means to follow Jesus you will find this seaside story particularly helpful.

Here's an important truth to get your heart and mind around. FOLLOWING JESUS ALWAYS BEGINS WITH LISTENING AND LEARNING!

The Apostle Paul later wrote to the believers in Rome:

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:7

Jesus has no interest in people following Him out of blind faith. "Blind faith" is a euphemism for "ignorant faith". That is apparent from the very beginning of His earthly ministry as we see in Luke's account.

On the contrary, God has done everything He can to make His truth available through the Bible and through the history of the Christian faith to enable us to make an intentional and intelligent decision to follow Him.

So, Jesus was teaching along the edge of the Sea of Galilee to a large crowd of people who came to LISTEN and to LEARN about this new Rabbi from Nazareth. On the edge of this expansive gathering were several fishermen who were cleaning their nets after a night and early morning of fishing. While they worked they also listened and Jesus noticed.

Isn't it amazing that Jesus calls people like you and me to follow Him?

Aren't you glad?

And isn't it encouraging to know that before He calls us He speaks to through the Bible, through sermons, through Bible studies, through the testimonies of others AND through the Holy Spirit?

So, as you begin this day, will you listen? Will you learn? That's how He leads!