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

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 8:35-37
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'How Glorious is Our God' (De. 32:3-4)
"I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Ezekiel 35:10
"Edom's princes saw the whole country left desolate, and counted upon its easy conquest; but there was one great difficulty in their way-quite unknown...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Glory Where It Belongs' (Acts 3:12-13)
"Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. "People of Israel," he said, "what is so surprising about this [healing]? And why stare at us as..."

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!