Sunday, November 09, 2014

Our Daily Bread - The Honor of Following

If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.

If you are having trouble reading the Our Daily Bread devotional click here for the online version.
About Our Daily Bread     |      RBC Ministries     |      Donate

Our Daily Bread -- The Honor Of Following

November 10, 2014

Play MP3
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn

READ: Matthew 4:18-22

Then [Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me.” —Matthew 4:19

While visiting Jerusalem, a friend of mine saw an old rabbi walking past the Wailing Wall. The interesting thing about the aged rabbi was the five young men walking behind him. They too were walking bent over, limping—just like their rabbi. An Orthodox Jew watching them would know exactly why they were imitating their teacher. They were “followers.”

Throughout the history of Judaism, one of the most honored positions for a Jewish man was the privilege of becoming a “follower” of the local rabbi. Followers sat at the rabbi’s feet as he taught. They would study his words and watch how he acted and reacted to life and others. A follower would count it the highest honor to serve his rabbi in even the most menial tasks. And, because they admired their rabbi, they were determined to become like him.

When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him (Matt. 4:19), it was an invitation to be changed by Him, to become like Him, and to share His passion for those who need a Savior. The high honor of being His follower should show in our lives as well. We too have been called to catch the attention of the watching world as we talk, think, and act just like Jesus—the rabbi, the teacher, of our souls. —Joe Stowell

Thank You, Lord, for the high honor of being
called to follow You. May my life so imitate
You that others will know that You are the
pursuit of my life and the rabbi of my soul.

Follow Jesus and let the world know He is your rabbi.

Bible in a year: Jeremiah 48-49; Hebrews 7

Insight

In the region surrounding the Sea of Galilee in the first century, fishing was one of the primary industries. This fishing normally took place at night, with the laborious task of casting weighted fishing nets and then hauling them back in. Fishing was not an easy occupation, but it did provide a decent living and, as seen in today’s text, was often operated as a family business. Here, two brothers, Peter and Andrew, worked together (v.18), as did James, John, and their father (v.21). In this case, however, these two families also had a partnership in their fishing business, as recorded in Luke 5:10. Jesus used this partnership to His advantage in calling these four men as disciples.

Share your comments on today’s devotional at odb.org.

 

You can make a difference. Even the smallest donation helps reach people around the world with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.

Donate



Special Offer

Special Online Offer

Subscribe

Mail
Receive ODB at home
Podcast
Download ODB on iTunes
Mobile
Get ODB on the go
Facebook
facebook.com/ourdailybread
Twitter
twitter.com/ourdailybread
Instagram
instagram.com/our_daily_bread
Google+
Add us to your circle
RSS
odb.org/feed

To read today's Our Daily Bread online visit www.odb.org.

Copyright © 2014, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from RBC Ministries for any further posting or distribution.

RBC Ministries produces a variety of Bible resources, which are available for the asking. Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination. Write rbc@rbc.org for more information.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

RBC Ministries | 3000 Kraft Ave | Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Unsubscribe

 

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home