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

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Knows All About Me!' (Ps. 139:1-3)
"Lord, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Exult in His Holy Name' (1 Ch. 16:10-12)
"Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ, Our Seal of Approval' (2 Co. 1:20-22)
"Dear Father, Thank you, my God, that you utter Yes to me. You establish and affirm my very being through Christ, and not only me but all your elect....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: 1 Kings 19:4
"It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!