Mark 1:16-20 provides a brief and poignant account of Jesus calling the primary disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John. It is a story that we seemingly know very nicely, however there are some great rules to be realized which can be useful for us and people we counsel.
Inside these 5 verses are three important items of knowledge within the calling of those disciples that we are able to apply to our lives at present.
Jesus Calls the Disciples Away from Familiarity
We see this many occasions within the Bible—God calls individuals out from a spot or state of affairs they’re aware of. Abraham was referred to as to depart Ur and head to a international land. Moses was referred to as to depart his peaceable life and return to Egypt. Gideon was referred to as to depart the threshing ground and lead a military. David was referred to as to depart the pasture and lead a nation. Jonah was referred to as to convey God’s message to a hostile land.
Jesus referred to as the disciples to depart behind a world that they had at all times recognized—a lifestyle that they anticipated to reside, a vocation that they understood and had been expert at, and, in some instances, a household enterprise and livelihood.
Jesus Calls the Disciples to Observe Him
All through Scripture, God calls individuals to not solely go away one thing behind but additionally to step into one thing new, one thing unknown, and even one thing scary. It’s a check of religion. Will they step out in obedience to God’s name?
Right here, the disciples are referred to as to comply with Jesus. Observe Him the place? Observe Him for a way lengthy? What’s going to they be doing? Jesus doesn’t provide a lot clarification however solely says to them, “I’ll make you fishers of males.” What does that even imply?
The Disciples Drop Their Nets
Now that the disciples have been referred to as to depart and step into one thing new, they’ve a option to make about what they are going to cling to.
Will they proceed to cling to the availability they’ve at all times appeared to? Will they let go of the security “nets” of their lives and belief that Jesus will present what is required within the days forward? Will they’ve religion that their households could have what they want of their absence?
In the long run, the disciples step out in religion, deciding to drop their nets and comply with Jesus, carrying nothing with them on the journey.
Discipleship within the Counseling Room
We’re all disciples of Jesus Christ. Identical to the primary disciples, we have now been referred to as out of a sure way of life and into a brand new way of life. Now we have been referred to as to depart, or “postpone,” and to comply with, or “placed on” (Col. 3:9-10; Eph. 4:22-24). That is true for us and the brothers and sisters we counsel.
The fantastic thing about biblical counseling is that it’s about one disciple serving to one other disciple reside out their calling. In case you are a counselor, you bear no particular standing earlier than Christ compared to the individual sitting throughout from you. Generally, although, it’s straightforward to neglect what it means to be a disciple, so we want the assistance of others to refocus our consideration.
Three Inquiries to Ask Our Counselees
- What Have You Been Known as to Go away?
What are the individuals, locations, or issues in your life that Jesus has referred to as you to depart? Is it a relationship? A job change? A transfer to a different metropolis? Is it a supply of earthly consolation? A ordinary sin?
Reflecting on this story of the primary disciples and so many different tales in Scripture, we see that God calls individuals to depart, however He doesn’t give all of them the knowledge. These we counsel could also be referred to as to depart one thing however wrestle to know the explanation why, or they could wrestle to see the trail forward. How great it’s that we have now these tales in Scripture that remind us of the faithfulness of our God.
- Are you following Jesus?
That is the subsequent necessary query to ask. Leaving one thing behind is only one step in what it means to be a disciple; we additionally have to comply with after Jesus.
Invite the trustworthy query: Are you actually following Jesus? Are you spending time with Him day by day? Are you strolling in obedience to His phrases? Are you fast to repent? Are you imitating His methods as you serve others? Are you listening to the Spirit as He guides and directs your life? Are you bringing your cares, worries, issues, and requests to Jesus? Are you seeking to Him for the energy you want?
- Have you ever dropped your “nets”?
That is maybe essentially the most difficult piece as we take into consideration what it’s to be a disciple. There are numerous occasions when Jesus referred to as His disciples to “depend the fee” of what it means to comply with Him. For some, the fee appeared too nice. They had been unwilling to let go of the “nets” of their lives (Matt. 19:16-30).
Are you continue to making an attempt to pull your internet together with you as you comply with Jesus? Take into consideration the primary disciples and picture in the event that they introduced their nets of fish. It will solely take a day within the sizzling solar earlier than the odor can be evident to everybody round them. The identical is true once we attempt to haul our nets alongside as we comply with Jesus. Fairly quickly, individuals will begin to choose up the stench.
Invite counselees to suppose deeply about what they’ve been carrying of their nets. What issues are they holding on to that they don’t wish to let go of? Following after Jesus means inserting belief in His guarantees. If Jesus calls us to comply with, He’ll present what is required. What do you actually want (Luke 12:22-34)?
Questions for Reflection
- When was the final time you counted the price of what has been or must be left behind so you possibly can comply with Jesus extra utterly?
- How will you use your personal experiences to assist others drop their nets and comply with Jesus?
