Sijo Chemmannur
Member
"They left everything and followed Him" Luke 5:11
Following Jesus is a big challenge for all Christians. Ironically, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ is the first definition of Christianity. Historical records show us that many people who believed in Jesus left everything in search of Him, preach gospel to poor and more importantly Love them like the way Jesus Christ have loved.
Why a young girl from a rich family in Kerala, leave everything and live like a tribal in Central India? She (Mercy Mathew), nick named as Daya Bai is a social worker, now fighting for the privileges of tribal people. She rejected her house, relatives, all the pleasures of this life and suffered heavy atrocities from the hands of authorities. She became one among them and even wears the traditional tribal cloths. A real proponent of theology of liberation and advocate of Christ's love.
When we picturize the beginning of Luke chapter 5, we can see the beach Gennesaret, where Jesus used one of the two boats as a platform to address the audience. After the speech, Jesus Christ calls the owner of the boat, Simon to catch fish in the deep sea. Simon, even though reluctant, agrees to obey the words of Jesus Christ and strangely, Simon and his friends got huge amount of fish. This miracle makes Simon to realize that he is a sinful man and tells Jesus to leave him. But, Jesus replies him back commending that he will be catching men from then. After that, Simon and all his friends leave everything they have and followed Jesus.
Why people leave everything and follow Jesus? What is the literal meaning of 'leaving everything'? How much theological relevance is given for the self rejection in Christianity? Or, to what we have to follow now in the current world, where we cannot physically find Jesus? There are varying levels of questions posed by Christians. The more serious issue for the followers of Christ is to face the words of Jesus Christ himself. He says plainly, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34). He also says "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:38, Luke 14:27).
Self rejection has profound importance for the discipleship of Christ. All those who left in the name of Christ have found something much much more valuable than their life itself. And that treasure is hidden to the wise and the intelligent (Matthew 11:25). For the people who doesn't understand the essence of Christ (bible denotes them as those who are perishing), following Christ or His words are foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). Jesus Christ also compare it as a seed which dies and produce much fruit (John 12:24). This self rejection is a prerequisite to live in the fullness of Christ itself. Jesus Christ says, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love" (John 15:10) and the commandment of Jesus Christ is "that you love one another, just as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
If we are followers of Christ, we are obliged to follow His commandment. Jesus's commandment of Love is the fundamental foundation of Christian life. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). This is an ideology of selflessness and inclusiveness. An ideology of non-violence and humaneness. An ideology of not being served, but serve and lay down the life for others. A character to find happiness in the smile of others. We have the promise from Christ to those who follow Him. "He who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).
Following Jesus is a big challenge for all Christians. Ironically, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ is the first definition of Christianity. Historical records show us that many people who believed in Jesus left everything in search of Him, preach gospel to poor and more importantly Love them like the way Jesus Christ have loved.
Why a young girl from a rich family in Kerala, leave everything and live like a tribal in Central India? She (Mercy Mathew), nick named as Daya Bai is a social worker, now fighting for the privileges of tribal people. She rejected her house, relatives, all the pleasures of this life and suffered heavy atrocities from the hands of authorities. She became one among them and even wears the traditional tribal cloths. A real proponent of theology of liberation and advocate of Christ's love.
When we picturize the beginning of Luke chapter 5, we can see the beach Gennesaret, where Jesus used one of the two boats as a platform to address the audience. After the speech, Jesus Christ calls the owner of the boat, Simon to catch fish in the deep sea. Simon, even though reluctant, agrees to obey the words of Jesus Christ and strangely, Simon and his friends got huge amount of fish. This miracle makes Simon to realize that he is a sinful man and tells Jesus to leave him. But, Jesus replies him back commending that he will be catching men from then. After that, Simon and all his friends leave everything they have and followed Jesus.
Why people leave everything and follow Jesus? What is the literal meaning of 'leaving everything'? How much theological relevance is given for the self rejection in Christianity? Or, to what we have to follow now in the current world, where we cannot physically find Jesus? There are varying levels of questions posed by Christians. The more serious issue for the followers of Christ is to face the words of Jesus Christ himself. He says plainly, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34). He also says "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:38, Luke 14:27).
Self rejection has profound importance for the discipleship of Christ. All those who left in the name of Christ have found something much much more valuable than their life itself. And that treasure is hidden to the wise and the intelligent (Matthew 11:25). For the people who doesn't understand the essence of Christ (bible denotes them as those who are perishing), following Christ or His words are foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). Jesus Christ also compare it as a seed which dies and produce much fruit (John 12:24). This self rejection is a prerequisite to live in the fullness of Christ itself. Jesus Christ says, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love" (John 15:10) and the commandment of Jesus Christ is "that you love one another, just as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
If we are followers of Christ, we are obliged to follow His commandment. Jesus's commandment of Love is the fundamental foundation of Christian life. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). This is an ideology of selflessness and inclusiveness. An ideology of non-violence and humaneness. An ideology of not being served, but serve and lay down the life for others. A character to find happiness in the smile of others. We have the promise from Christ to those who follow Him. "He who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).
