All this week I am honored to be sharing this space with some of my friends that have been huge in helping to encourage me and give me feedback on my writing. May you be as blessed as I have been!
First up is Pastor Calvin Wulf:
Called to Tailgate
By Calvin Wulf
twitter: @calvinwulf
blog: http://blog.livingforgod.net
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18 NIV
I’ll never forget the bumper sticker that asked, “Do you follow Jesus this close?” The print was small, so it’s a good thing I was stopped at a traffic light! But beyond my plea of innocence to the charge of tailgating, that question still haunts me.
I really like Andrew. The first time he saw Jesus, Andrew was listening to a preacher named John the Baptist. As Jesus walked along the Jordan River that day, John the Baptist tagged him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So Andrew decided to follow Jesus and spent the afternoon with him.
Andrew was familiar with Jesus before his lakeside invitation to follow him. He already understood that Jesus was the Messiah. But more than that, Andrew believed the words of Jesus. So he was willing to walk away from his career to follow the Lamb of God. Andrew simply acted on what he believed.
Andrew took on the role of a student in relationship with a master. This disciple went everywhere with Jesus and participated in his way of living. He diligently followed every detail in the manner and teaching of Jesus, striving to become like him. The Master himself said it is good enough for the student to become like the teacher.
When it comes to following Jesus, tailgating is a good thing. Believing Jesus involves hearing his words and doing them from the depth of your heart. It means that you will follow his ways and do the same things he does. His lasting invitation, “Come, follow me,” echoes down the centuries to you and me.
The question is, “Do you follow Jesus this close?”
Copyright 2009 by Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf
Calvin Wulf is an ordained minister who lives in Colorado with his wife, Lisa. Together they share in a ministry they call Living for God. You can dialogue with them at their blog. http://blog.livingforgod.net
Related posts:
- Guest Daily Devotion: Deb Burton
- Guest Daily Devotion: Willie Harris
- Guest Daily Devotion: David Meysembourg
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 30
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 20
Tags: calvin wulf, daily devotion, mark 1:16-18
Dave, Nice blog layout!
Calvin, great word! Thanks for the challenge.
Thanks Mike!