When Jesus called the disciples, they left everything to follow Him, without a moment’s hesitation (Matthew 4:18-22). They gave up their self-sufficient life for one that depended on His grace. There were plenty of times when they were in need because of lack of resources, insecurity, or incapability, but Jesus met every need. When the disciples insisted they could never feed the crowd of 5,000, Jesus told them to find out what they had – five loaves and two fish. He thanked God for what they did have and used it – and it was more than enough (Mark 6:35-44). I often find myself doubting that the money in my bank account, or my qualifications, or my opportunities, are enough. But Jesus always takes what I have and makes it enough. Didn’t He provide me with that long-term substitute position against all odds? Didn’t He bring me the funds when I was in Honduras, just when I thought I was about to run out, time and time again? Didn’t He provide me with loving parents who offered me a free room as long as I need it and an interest-free loan for my car? He always provides.
Then there was the time the disciples were on the boat in the middle of a storm. They were used to being on the sea and dealing with rough waters, but this time the storm was severe enough that they feared for their lives. Jesus allowed that storm to test them, but He came through at just the right time and spoke peace to the storm (Mark 4:35-41). Hasn’t Jesus done that for me? Brought resolution to a relationship gone sour, taken me out of situations that threatened to destroy me, placed people in my life to speak words of peace and encouragement into the storm that raged inside?
What I really love about Jesus is that He cared – He cares. Even when He was tired and in need of alone time, He still had compassion on those who hungered for His touch (Mark 6:31-34). He healed all the sick who came to Him (Matthew 4:23-24). He modeled again and again for his disciples how to exercise authority over the devil’s schemes to bring freedom for the one in need. Yet when they were confronted with a demon-possessed boy, they proved they were still incapable. Jesus had to step in and take care of the situation Himself (Mark 9:14-29). So often I prove myself incapable of bringing Christ’s light into someone else’s darkness, but I know that He is training me and will not give up on me. Because I’ve given up everything to follow Him. Not always without a moment’s hesitation, but I have done it, and He will reward me…
“ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life’ ” (Mark 10:29-30).
“ ‘Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father’ ” (John 14:12).
