Leaving our cares behind

Mat. 4:18-22; Mk. 1:16-20; Lk. 5:1-11

Simon Peter and his brother Andrew were casting their nets in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called them. They immediately left their nets and followed Him (Mt. 4:20). After a while, Jesus also called Jacob and John who were with their father Zebedee. Jesus called them and they also immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him (Mat. 4:22).

As I was reading this story, I imagined how I would have reacted if I were in the place of one of them. I imagined that I would probably lug my net behind and follow Him (if at all I followed Him). Or at least, I would gather all that I think I would need and carry them as I walk behind the LORD.

Simon Peter, Andrew, Jacob and John left everything behind – their means of living, their belongings and even their father, and followed Jesus. Today, we, followers of Jesus are so reluctant to leave our worldly cares behind us. In fact, we carry them on our heads, on our shoulders and pull them behind us making us to stumble and fall all the time. We do not have the space to carry the burden of our LORD anymore. This must be the reason why we cannot move forward and care for the things our LORD cares for as we should.

Peter said to the LORD, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Mat. 19:27); and the LORD told them of the many wonderful things that they would receive.