Different routes to the same destination

Jesus calls Philip & Nathaneal - William Hole

TODAY'S SPECIAL: John 1:43-51


TO CHEW ON: "The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, 'Follow me.'" John 1:43

It's interesting to note how Jesus picked and called His disciples.

Andrew and another unnamed disciple (perhaps John, the writer) were attracted to Him by the testimony of their original rabbi, John the Baptist (John 1:35-37). When they asked Jesus where He was staying, His "Come and see" was invitation enough for them to leave John and follow Jesus.

The following day Jesus went in search of Philip.

Philip recruited his friend Nathaneal (also called Bartholomew) to be Jesus' follower.

It seems the four fishermen (Andrew, Simon [Peter], James and John) may have made their decision to become serious followers in stages, for we see them back fishing. Then one morning after a fruitless night on Galilee followed by a Jesus instigated miraculous catch, they finally "forsook all to follow Jesus" (Luke 5:1-11).

After that Jesus saw Matthew (Levi) at his tax-collecting station. When Jesus invited him to be a disciple, Matthew immediately left all to follow Jesus (Luke 5:27,28).

Still today Jesus finds and calls us in a variety of ways. Some encounter Him through the words of a teacher or preacher. Others are introduced to Him seemingly without human intervention through visions, dreams, and the Bible. Some come through the testimony of friends. Many make the decision to follow Him in stages and over a period of time. Still others decide in an instant.

Let's remember and be encouraged by this variety as we continue to pray for our unsaved family members and friends. Just because they aren't coming to God in the way we did or in the way we expect them to doesn't mean that God isn't involved in their lives, busy drawing them to Himself in ways tailored just to them.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You that Your call to discipleship is unique and personal. I believe You are at work in the lives of those I love who have yet to respond to You. Amen.

 *********Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"Who touched My clothes?"

"Woman who touched the hem 
of His garment" by Harold Copping

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Mark 5:21-43

TO CHEW ON: "And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, 'Who touched My clothes?'"  Mark 5:30

Jesus wasn't content to let the woman just slip away, healed. It was as if He felt the need to seal the deal with a little explanation.

When the healed-but-terrified woman identified herself, Jesus didn't scold or embarrass her, but made the simple yet profound statement, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction."

An endnote in my Bible expands:

"Jesus desires to perfect the woman's faith and to lead her to a public confession of faith. He rewards her testimony with the assurance that she can go in peace" - J. Lyle Story, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1358.

There are pointers we can take away from this little incident

• Maybe we shouldn't squirm so much over altar calls. It seems there is something that happens inside of us when we make a public profession by responding physically to what's happening inside of us, like Jesus asked this woman to do. Such a response seems to confirm, cement, and make that transaction real.

• When we counsel or pray for people, a little insight may be in order. Jesus often prefaced or ended his conversations with seekers by making pointed statements about the spiritual aspect of their conditions. Of course we're not Jesus and don't have His insights, but we do have His Spirit, on whom we need to depend for help and "words of knowledge."

The snide voice inside this woman's head that would say, "Maybe He didn't heal you. Maybe it was just a coincidence that you felt better the minute you touched His clothes," will never have a chance, now that she has identified herself to Jesus, and He has tied the package tight with His words of affirmation and truth.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for these Bible stories that illustrate faith and show me how You interacted with people. Help me to apply the principles to my own life of faith and in my interactions with others. Amen.

MORE: Altar Calls

The custom of calling people to come to the front of a church sanctuary or meeting hall in response to a spiritual invitation is an old one. Read about the history of of what we call altar calls in "When and why did the custom of conducting altar calls begin?"

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.