Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:18-25

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon-possessed or epileptic or paralyzed – he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went – people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. – Matthew 4:23-25

This is a great description of the kind of impact Jesus had on those who were living while he walked the earth. They had never heard anyone speak like he did or heal like he did. They would travel long distances to see this man from Nazareth who could free people of their demons and diseases. They would follow him wherever he went. Among those followers were Simon, Andrew, James, and John.

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

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. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. — Matthew 4:18-22

Simon Peter and Andrew were casting their net into the sea. This was how they provided for themselves — by catching fish to sell or trade. They were working hard doing what they did every day. James and John were mending their nets. Their means for catching fish was broken and in need of repair. They were working hard doing what they had been raised to do.

But this day was different. This day a man named Jesus invited them to put down their nets and follow him. Something about this man compelled them to walk away from everything they knew and begin a new journey of following Jesus.

The first song in my 2022 playlist is Wherever You Lead by Kristen DiMarco of Bethel Music. As I read through the fourth chapter of Matthew, the lyrics of this song wash over me once more.

Wherever You go / Wherever You lead / That’s where I’ll go / That’s where I’ll be / The moment You call / The second You speak / That’s when I’ll go / Step out and believe / And I’m gonna fix my eyes on Jesus / Walking with the One who walks on the sea / Oh, I’m gonna give my life to follow / Speak to me and I’ll go / Wherever You lead / Wherever You lead [Wherever You Lead lyrics © Bethel Music Publishing, Essential Music Publishing, Integrity Music]

Many of us have heard this story of following Jesus over and over again throughout our lifetime — so much so that the reality of the disciples’ decision is somehow lost on us. Do we fully understand what they were willing to walk away from in order to follow Jesus? Maybe they were content, successful, and pleased with their routine. What prompted them to let go of everything they knew to walk into the unknown.

So much of my life has been spent watching my father say yes to the next direction from God, and then joining my husband in responding to what God is calling us towards. Each chapter has brought joy, and we have quickly settled into our new home and our new life. God has been faithful, and God will continue to be faithful.

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He requires us to step out of our comfort zone and believe that His ways are greater than our own. We daily choose to give our lives to whatever He has for us and we follow wherever He leads — eyes fixed on Jesus and ready to say yes to the next invitation. This is the kind of impact Jesus wants to have on each of us; this is the life of obedience Jesus is calling us to.