The Joy of Glory

Mark 1:14-39 (click here)
And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. (Mark 1:19-20)

Reflection
Everybody always makes a big deal out of the fact that James and John left the Father behind. While I’m willing to say that is a big deal in a way…in another way it’s kind of natural.

Most children grow up and leave home. They don’t work in a family business, they don’t live under the same roof…they leave and begin a primarily independent life.

There is something in the text that I always thought was a BIGGER deal than the fact they left Zebedee…what is it?

When I knew that I wanted to marry Holly, I found myself in need of a ring. Those tiny circles of precious metal topped with a rock can be just a little pricey…and I had no expendable cash.

Fortunately for me, I did have a few expendable possessions I could sell…the primary one being my boat.

Now don’t think “luxury yacht…” I had a very simple, very small fishing boat. But, it was still worth a little bit and I sold it to buy a ring. That’s how you know it is love…when a man is willing to part with his boat!

James and John didn’t just leave behind their father to follow Jesus… they left their BOAT!

Now…obviously I’m joking to a certain extent, but the point is this…in order to attach themselves to Jesus, they were willing to forsake everything that had been gain for them…relationships, careers, possessions…and yes…that even included their boat.

That’s how you know it’s love…when you’re willing to abandon all to have Jesus!

Do you love him?

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.