Hungry for God: A New Family

“Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.” 

—Matthew 4:22

Jesus’ call to us is bigger, greater, and more special than anything else this world can offer us. He offers to us a new pursuit. Notice the response the disciples had when Jesus called them. They responded immediately. They didn’t hesitate when He called. When Jesus calls us to Himself, we are not to wait, not to stop, not to do anything but obey His voice. They had a new life to pursue.

Secondly, notice they left behind their profession. They didn’t hesitate to leave their job to follow Jesus. A career is no match for the calling of the King of Kings. Their earthly pursuits were no match for eternal pleasures, and Jesus offered them something greater than anything this world could ever offer.

Notice also they left behind their people. Their kin. Even our earthly responsibilities and relationships are no match for Jesus’ call on our lives. As Jesus said,

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life”—Matthew 19:29.

The thought of leaving behind family is difficult for anyone, but Jesus calls us into a new family. As He said, “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother”—Matthew 12:50.

We have a new pursuit, a new profession, a new people, because we have a new passion. Jesus is the highest pursuit we could ever have. He calls us to have new life in Him—a life of forgiveness, a life of peace, purpose, and joy. He even gives us a new people, united in a stronger bond than any earthly bond. It’s a bond of blood, not of earthly parents, but rather an eternal Savior. His blood enables all who receive Him in faith to be united in the bond of Christian family.

Have you heard the voice of Jesus? Is He calling you to life in Himself? Have you received His offer of peace and forgiveness? Have you entered into fellowship in His blood-bought people? If you hear His voice, respond immediately; nothing is greater than the life He died to give you. Amen.