What Jesus Did! 'Left Behind' — Mark 1:19-20

Sunday, January 14, 2024

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
— Mark 1:19-20 NLT

Key Thought

There is a cost to following Jesus. Some people won't understand. Some of those who won't understand may even be in our own families. However, we are called to follow, knowing that others we love might not be willing to face the cost of that discipleship. [1] Don't be fooled, dear friend, by preachers promising everything while implying there will not be heartbreak or hardship. Some we love will not follow with us. However, our hopeful prayer is that their reluctance will be only temporary, and that through us they will come to know the Jesus we follow. The first step, however, is to follow... no matter the cost!

[1] Matthew 10:37-38.

Today's Prayer

Give me courage, dear Father, to follow Jesus as my Lord no matter the cost. Please use me to influence those I love to come to know Jesus as their Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

My Response to God's Call
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
Will I follow on the journey, or will I choose to let where I am, where I'm comfortable, and what I have hold me in bondage? James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the call of the Lord to leave and follow no matter the cost.
What It Means to Follow
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
When Peter, Andrew, James, and John accepted Jesus' call to follow him, everything changed for them! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online, virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to help us understand, celebrate, commit, and confess what it means to follow Jesus.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:19-20 NLT — He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 14, 2024

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Respect for God's Discipline' (He. 12:3-11)
"Dear Father, Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus. Despite the hostility poured on him by sinners, he obeyed you, even to the point of death. Help me..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Navigating Political Minefields'
"Dear Precious One, Each of My disciples is precious to Me. I hate for any of them to have to go through unfair trials and difficulties...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God’s Wisdom Offers Insight and Protection'
"Gain wisdom, gain insight; don’t forget or turn from the words I am saying. Don’t abandon [wisdom]; then she will preserve you; love her, and she will..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'In the Middle' (Ek. 37:1)
"The hand of the Lord was on me [Ezekiel], and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; ..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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