Introduction

When a person begins his or her life with Jesus as a disciple, he or she had this fire and passion for Jesus. He or she will go to every program in the church. However, as time goes by, and when life’s challenges come, the Christians’ passion for God weans. It is always a graduate change towards apostasy, it will be one worship time missed, one Sabbath spent at home because you’re tired from a busy working week, health, or family issues. How hot commitment temperature gradually drops. In addition, one finally finds him or herself drifting far from God. What can we learn from the NT Disciples’ commitment?[1]

The Commitment Account 

Read Mark 1:16-18

¹⁶ And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ¹⁸ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

¹⁹ When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. ²⁰ And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went after Him.

Jesus Calls the First Disciples for Commitment

The most fascinating verses here are verses 18 and 20. When Jesus called the four men they immediately left the committee to the call. What did they immediately leave behind? 1) They left their nets, 2) they left their father, and 3) their hired servants. They did not tell Jesus to give them time to think or pray about it. When Jesus said to follow, me they followed right away. It is an astounding fact.

These two verses also tell us that these men were not ordinary men. They have a family business in the fishing industry. They had hired servants and even their father working with them. So they basically left your business and their families to follow Jesus.

Disciples’ Shattering Faith Restored

Fast-forward 3 ½ years, Jesus had been crucified and buried the disciple, who had been faithfully following Jesus went into hiding. Before the crucifixion some fled, Peter denied Jesus, some secretly followed him to the cross, and Judas killed himself. It appeared to them that the messiah they had looked up to had died, their hopes were crushed and they were hiding. They were also afraid, of losing their own lives.

They did not remember that Jesus promises to rise on the 3rd day. Jesus appeared to them where they were gathered, they took Him for a ghost, and some even doubted him. He had to show them His nail-pierced hands and His broken flesh, He asked for food to prove He was not a ghost. He restored their faith in Him as the Messiah again, by enlightening them about the Plan of Salvation and the Messianic prophecy of His death and resurrection.

Faltering Commitment

John 21 records Jesus’s third appearance to His disciples after his resurrection. This time Peter announced that he was going fishing. The same disciples in Mark 1, and Nathaniel with two other, disciples protested to follow Peter on this fishing trip. Against Mark’s mentions they did not waste time, immediately went into the boat and left. They had tried the whole night but caught nothing.

Jesus appears to them unnoticed and tells them to through their nets on their right side. John immediately knew it was the Lord and told Peter. Peter was so busy trying even with His clothes on. hearing that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment and plunged himself into the sea.  Was he trying to run and hide? Did he feel bad because Jesus had found Him doing that which he left 3 ½ years ago? We can never know. However, one thing we are sure of is Jesus’ appearance was a surprise to Peter and the disciples.

Jesus’ Call for Renew their Commitment

Jesus had already prepared breakfast for the weary disciples who worked all night but in vain. As they were eating, Peter received the most heartbreaking question from the Lord. “Peter, son of Jonah, do you love?” Peter says you know that I love you. The third time Jesus asked Peter he was grieved. Remember, Peter had denied Jesus three times, and now Jesus had to make Him declare three times. This is also the third time Jesus visits his disciples after the resurrection.

Peter was never the same again. History tells us that Peter was willing to be hanged upside down. He was not worthy to be hanged as his Lord was. In His ministry, he did miracles that were unique. Jesus did not work this kind of miracle, like the healing of Peter’s shadow. Jesus said they would do greater things than he was doing. He became a powerful apostle of Jesus. His extraordinary response to this life-threatening event and bravery to give all for Christ was a culmination of a daily commitment.

Important Lessons

There are important lessons to learn here.

1. When life gets hard and God seems to be quiet, our prayers seem unheard. We turn to the family things of life; we turn to our work and family. Or still, others give priority to work and family before seeking God’s interest.

• Two basic things in life always divert our commitment to follow Jesus. Work and Family. Each Christian had made a commitment at the water of baptism to follow Jesus. However, as time goes by the faith and excitement wean and people leave the church returning to their old way of life.

• For some of us, God has called us to serve Him full-time. However, when life gets complicated when, God is silent, and when faced with work challenges and life-threatening situations, we focus on the call. We turn to other work, the old way of life, or families.

• Still, others have vowed to worship God on Sabbath, but when their employers ask them to work, on Sabbath God becomes their second choice. It simply shows a lack of faith in God to provide a new opportunity, or job, or even take care of them even if they live without a job.

• Most times, one will miss church or family worship because of work, food, visitors, etc.

Reflect honestly and see what your level of commitment is. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33. Cf. Phi 4:6, 7). God is able to carry our burdens, give us rest and make His yoke his work, easy and light (Matt 11:28, 29). And that He would be with us even “to the end of the age” ( Matt 28:19-20).

Conclusion

Jesus first called the disciples to be fishers of Men (Mark 1:16-20), but now he had said it another way “feed my lambs” (John 21). We have to choose daily, to remain committed to our commitments. Committing is one thing, but staying committed is another thing. So once again. How’s your commitment temperature, is it hot, lukewarm, or cold? If not hot, what could be the things that are diverting your commitment to remain a disciple daily?

Read more on the following Jesus Series here

---

[1]             Message inspired by Pr Cameron Wari. It was directly adopted from his prayer meeting devotion.