Suffering For Christ
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him,” (Matthew 4:18-22).
It is amazing the family bond that many people have. Siblings will go from hating each other as young children to being best friends as adults, kids will come from the college to spend time with their family for the holidays, families will share secrets, they help each other, because families are supposed to love each other. Within the Ten Commandments the command is given to “Honor your father and mother,” (Exodus 20:12).
Unfortunately, however, a struggle that many people have when it comes to being a Christian is losing a relationship with their loved ones. While most of those who may be reading this probably grew up in the church and have not had to leave family to follow Jesus, there are many who have had to give up family relations in order to seek Jesus in their lives. This is undoubtedly a difficult choice to make, but it must be remembered that Jesus said “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple,” (Luke 14:26).
Though this could be a difficult time in one’s life, there is encouragement within a passage such as Matthew chapter four and the calling of the disciples. What is often overlooked is the fact that there were three men in the boat when Jesus came calling for disciples. James and John left the boat to follow Jesus but as a result of doing so, they had to leave their father behind.
Matthew does not specify whether their father Zebedee rejected Jesus or if he disapproved of his children’s decision. Regardless of the situation, these two had to make the decision to leave their father behind in order to follow Jesus.
In order to become a Christian and live life as such, it requires sacrificing things, even relationships. Fortunately, the result of giving everything up for Jesus is an eternal life in Heaven with Him.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are unseen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal,” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Rejoice in Suffering for Christ This Week!
