OCTOBER 19 – Reading 292

by Sherilyn Dagaldino| October 19

“THE CALL TO FOLLOW”
(Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–28; Luke 5:1–11; 4:31–37; Matthew 8:14–17; Mark 1:29–34; Luke 4:38–41; Matthew 4:23–25; Mark 1:35–39; Luke 4:42–44)

“And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.” – Luke 5:11

Background / Context:

• Congratulations — you’ve made it through your first week of the New Testament!

   

• The opening chapters of the Gospels are packed with lessons on following Jesus — a crash course in discipleship.

   

• Again and again, we see His call: sometimes with miraculous provision, sometimes with nothing but His word, always with authority and always in relationship.

Reflection:
If you’re like me, you probably find yourself underlining or highlighting almost every verse in the New Testament. It feels like every chapter is packed with lessons on following Jesus — almost like a crash course in discipleship! Sometimes I laugh because if I keep highlighting at this pace, the whole page will end up yellow.

The truth is, the Word really does give us everything we need — it’s not just information, it’s a way of life. But we need the Spirit’s help to understand it and live it out. A mentor of mine who began a discipleship movement once said: “A disciple is a person who learns to do what the Master does.” That’s our calling. Not to be merely hearers, but doers of the Word (James 1:22).

For Simon Peter, the call of Jesus came with a miracle. After a long night of empty nets, Jesus told him to cast once more, and suddenly the catch was so great the boats began to sink (Luke 5:4–7). Some believe Simon may have been weighed down by financial strain, but whether or not that was true, what’s clear is this: Jesus provided abundantly, making a way for Simon to leave everything and follow Him (Luke 5:11).

For James and John, the sons of Zebedee, the call looked different. There was no miraculous catch that day, only the voice of Jesus saying, “Follow Me.” (Mark 1:19–20). And they did — leaving their father in the boat with the hired servants. No provision, no dramatic sign, just trust in the authority of His word.

How He calls us is as unique as our stories. For some, He clears obstacles and provides a way. For others, He simply speaks. Either way, it is the same Jesus who calls — the One who begins a good work and promises to bring it to completion (Phil. 1:6).

What amazes me is the authority in Jesus’ words. Fishermen left their nets when He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19; Mark 1:17). Crowds listened in awe because “He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). Demons shrieked but had no choice but to obey when He rebuked them, “Be silent, and come out of him!” (Luke 4:35). Even truth itself waited for His timing (Mark 1:34). That same authority still calls to us — not to know everything, not to have all the answers, but simply to follow.

And as He called, He prayed. “Rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). If the Son of God needed intimacy with the Father, how much more do we? From that place of prayer, He healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt. 8:14–15), silenced darkness (Luke 4:41), and fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases” (Matt. 8:17).

The miracle is not just what He did then — the miracle is our life in Him now. Redeemed (Col. 1:14), forgiven (Eph. 1:7), reconciled to the Father (Rom. 5:10–11). Jesus still invites us into relationship, still teaches us His way, still calls us to serve as He served (Mark 10:45). The only question left is the same one the disciples faced: will we leave what we cling to, and follow (Luke 5:11)?

Application / Response:

• What “nets” might I be clinging to that Jesus is asking me to lay down? (Luke 5:11)

   

• Do I recognize His authority in my life the way the crowds and even the demons did? (Mark 1:22, 34)

   

• How can I follow Jesus’ example of withdrawing to pray, so I don’t serve from an empty cup? (Mark 1:35)

   

• Am I living as if I’m waiting for a miracle, or as if I’m already in the miracle of being redeemed and reconciled in Christ? (Matt. 8:17; Col. 1:14)

   

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me into relationship with You. Help me to see what I’m clinging to and give me the courage to lay it down at Your word. I trust that You are for me, and if You are for me, who can be against me (Rom. 8:31)? Teach me to follow You in every season — in times of abundance and in times of dryness. You are my everything. Let my life be a living answer to Your call: “Follow Me.” Amen.