Those who were called by Jesus and those who met Jesus…
The 12 apostles of Lord Jesus Christ were called by him. Scripture records only the calling of a few. Their attitude when called, their immediate obedience to the call and the many sacrifices they made afterwards changed the world. It has blessed most of the people in the world. We are also going to meditate how a few people who met Jesus become blessings to the area they lived.
Jesus performs a miracle when he calls Simon Peter, James and his brother John. The fish were caught to such an extent that the nets were torn apart and two boats were sunk. They are amazed by this. Then Jesus said to Simon,
“Henceforth thou shalt be a man-catcher.”said. Before they recovered from the shock of catching a large number of fish, they would have been more confused and frightened when they thought that they were turning us into catchers of men. They completely obeyed his word, even though we who do not properly catch fish think how we are going to catch men. The Bible says that they brought their boats to shore and left everything and followed him (Luke 5:11). What does it mean to “leave all”? They left their boats and nets, their father Zebedee and their hired servants who were helping them, tools, equipment, everything and followed Jesus. He didn’t even take the money he earned. They had full faith in Jesus and followed him.
They were casting a net in the sea when Jesus called Simon and his brother Andrew. They also left their nets and followed Jesus Christ with complete trust.
When Matthew (Levi) was called, he was a publican, that is, a tax collector and payer to the Romans. The Bible says that when Jesus called him, he also got up from everything and followed him. Since he is a tax collector, he has an office, people to work under him, and there must have been a box to keep money safely etc. And status in society, he left everything and followed Jesus by faith.
The apostle Paul excelled in status, wealth, and fame. And is of Israelite descent. The tribe of Benjamin. Hebrew. A Pharisee who kept the law entirely. This can be seen in
Philippians 3:5. A Jew from the famous city of Tarsus in Cilicia. He grew up at the feet of Gamaliel and was taught according to the Vedic oath of his ancestors. Such a man counts all as loss for Christ.
In this way, the apostles left everything they had and followed Jesus faithfully, so they were the cause of the spread of the gospel that Jesus Christ taught throughout the world as a light to the world.
Elisha, when called by Elijah, sacrificed his life killed the cow he had (using them to feed the people) and followed Elijah. So he was anointed twice as much as Elijah and performed 14 miracles. They are all invited.
What did the Samaritan woman do who was not called but met Jesus? Her name is not even mentioned. Her family life was unpopular with people. That’s why she brings a pitcher to collect water during the off-peak hours. At first she sees Jesus as a Jew. Then she feels like a prophet. Then she learns that he is the Messiah through the words of Jesus.
Without delaying at all, regardless of her position (without thinking about whether people would listen to her ), she left the work she had come from, i.e. left the pitcher and went into the city. A man told me everything I had done . She said, “Come and see if he is the Christ.” (John 4:29) Because of the work, many of the Samaritans became believers in Jesus. And the people of that town heard the preaching of Jesus Christ and believed that he was the true Savior of the world. Thus it was the Samaritan woman who caused all those people to be saved. When she met Jesus and talked with him for a few hours, she forgot her family status, left her job and boldly called the people of the town to see Jesus.
We who have been in Christianity for many years, let us examine our condition. Let us think and see why we are not able to bring the people of our town and the people of the constituency to Jesus.
The witness
I have attended the 2017 BFF training in Chennai. As I was going to the Church building , I could not accept the truth that the Lord had rejected all the Churches. In a night dream I was informed that the food (verse) given to me is adulterated. However, after the BFF training, I would conduct Troop
Churches and go to the churh for Sunday worship.I was told by a soldier through vision in the TC. One leg is muddy and the other leg is clean. Realizing the truth, the Lord was gracious enough to make me leave the church where I grew up for the Lord. The Lord has strengthened me to grow & stand firmly in Troop Church.
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, the apostles whom You called left everything , came to You and got trained ; live as people who stir up the world and take the gospel to all the world. The Samaritan woman who met you guided the people of her village to you and they were saved. Give each one of us soldiers of Jesus the necessary anointing, power and action plans to bring our town and constituency to you. Amen.
Sol.Mohanan Sundharam.