Sometimes we spend a lot of time focusing on our individual calling – how to determine what it is, how to pursue it - and lose sight of the fact that Jesus calls us collectively to do many things that we can immediately understand and act on, including serving and loving one another.
We take a closer look at who Jesus calls and what he promises to those who follow him.
Who Jesus calls
One of the common misconceptions about Christianity is that it's only for people who are good or who have it all together. This couldn't be further from the truth. Jesus says himself that he came to save sinners, and from the types of people that he taught, invited to follow him and spent time with, we can see that his call was open to all. He called lowly workers, socialised with people on the margins of society and invited them all to follow him.
We should view Jesus' invitation as he intended it to be – inclusive not exclusive.
The Bible verses below help to reveal who Jesus calls be his followers.
Matthew 4:21-22 - Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Luke 9:23 - Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Mark 2:14 - As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
What Jesus promises to those who answer his call
"What's in it for me?" is a question that we can find ourselves asking before agreeing to do anything that is going to cost us or require us to part ways with something that we hold dear, whether that's our hard earned cash or our friends and family.
Jesus made it very clear that people would have to give up certain things if they were to follow him. These sacrifices could mean anything from abandoning jobs to giving away riches. The cost of being a follower of Christ is great but nowhere near as great as the rewards of being one. No matter what we have to give up, we can expect so much more when we follow Jesus.
The following Bible verses offer an insight into some of what Jesus promised those who answered yes to his call.
John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Matthew 4:19-20 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
John 15:7-8 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Mark 10:29-31 - "Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
