Instagram Jesus Week 5: Devotional Day 4
DAY 4 – Thursday
Daily devotional
Read
Mark 1:17-20
Ask
The disciples left behind many things to follow Jesus – careers, family expectations, possessions, home, family. What is different, changed or been “left behind” because of your commitment to follow Christ? What has been the cost to you?
Reflect
Pop quiz: What is Newton’s third law of motion? Simply put, Newton’s third law of motion is that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When a ball hits a wall, for example, the ball is exerting as much force on the wall as the wall is exerting back on the ball.
Why bring in a review of physics to today’s devotion? Look at the nature of the disciples’ response to Jesus’ invitation in Mark 1:17-20. A few days ago I asked you what sort of response it was, whether it was verbal or action based. In looking back at the text, we see it is action based, the disciples are getting up and following Jesus. As they move towards Jesus, they are also leaving something or someone behind.
What are you leaving behind as you seek to follow Jesus? If you became a Christian later in life, you are likely able to name several things and/or relationships that were impacted when you became a Christian. It is not just about relationships or things being left behind when we dedicate our lives to Jesus. We also have to continue to surrender that which is incompatible with following Christ. Is there something which has crept back into your life that keeps you from following Christ whole-heartedly?
Since we had a short review of science today, how about we close with a short review of grammar? An adverb modifies the main verb, but the adverb in itself is not intended to be the key idea of the sentence. The key idea is encapsulated by the main verb. In the Greek of Mark 1:18 and 20, the description of the disciples leaving something behind is an adverb. The main verb (the key idea the author wants you to focus on) is that disciples followed Jesus. Focus on what you are following, not on what you are leaving behind! If you have extra time when you meet with your LifeGroup, talk about how you focus on Jesus in your day-to-day or week-by-week life.