Kingdom Alignment: A New Call

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When the time came for Jesus to begin his earthly ministry, he went to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a place with which he was familiar, to find men he could disciple. The region of Galilee was a significant commercial area with a prosperous fishing industry. Jesus knew the way of life of the local fishermen, who went out fishing all night to sell their catch in the morning.

Simon and Andrew had met Jesus previously. On this occasion, however, he invited them to follow him and be his disciples. Whether they stopped to count the cost, or knew where they were going, the Bible says, “At once they left their nets and yielding up all claim to them followed him” (Mark 1:18). They may not have known where they were going, but they knew who they were following. They were not following a set of rules; they were following a person, the Word incarnate.

In Cost of Discipleship, the late theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, defined discipleship “as an adherence to the person of Jesus Christ and fellowship with him.” He added that only a man or woman who is dead to his or her own will can follow Christ. The goal of a true disciple is to become like Jesus. This is not easy to do because most of us like to be in control. We want to know and control the why, the when, the how, and the where. But when we accept Jesus’ call to follow him, he leads, and we follow without a GPS.

Jesus invested in the disciples because he saw beyond their outward appearance. He saw their hearts and what they could become through him. When he adds his supernatural to our natural, miracles begin to happen.

Peter was an egocentric, unschooled, loud-mouthed fishermen but when he aligned himself with Jesus’ Kingdom agenda, he preached one of the most powerful sermons recorded in the New Testament book of Acts and thousands were added to the Kingdom that day. It is not about us, it is about the One who calls us, Jesus Christ, the Anointed One.

Once we accept Jesus and align with his Kingdom our identity is changed, and we receive a call to follow him and be his disciple. We might not always know where we are going, but we do know with whom we are going. Jesus leads us to become like him, if we follow.

There is more to discipleship than the profession and confession of faith. Discipleship requires action. We must deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow him. A disciple never stops learning or investing in others. Who are you discipling? Into whom are you pouring yourself? People are ready to say ‘yes’ to Jesus, just like Andrew and Simon were, but they need to be invited.

The call has not changed. Jesus still calls children, men, and women to “follow me, be my disciple, and go make disciples.” His call, however, is personal for you and to be answered by you.

The resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples and greeted them with his usual greeting, “Peace be with you!” He showed them his hands and his side, and said to them, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” He then breathed on them and said, “receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:19-21).

We are the “sent” no less than the disciples. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do Kingdom work. We have a personal call, and the church has a corporate call, to follow Jesus, be his disciples, and disciple others.

Yet we all have something that holds us and we must leave behind to answer the call. Abraham left the tent, family, and everything he knew behind when he answered God’s call. The woman at the well left her water pot behind as a symbol of leaving her old life. When Lazarus heard Jesus calling his name to come out of the tomb, he left behind the wrappings that had him bound and walked forward to follow Jesus. The disciples left their nets. And most important, Jesus left his throne in glory to become one of us.

How about us? What do we need to leave behind to follow Jesus in total commitment? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you and release you if you remain tied down. The full Kingdom-life awaits you when you answer the call. You will not regret that choice.

© 2024, Jacqueline Leveron

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