Left All Behind

 

Left All Behind

There is undeniably a divine influence at play in the selection of the disciples, as seen in John 17:6-8 (NIV):

“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.”

Yet, we cannot overlook the documented motivations behind their decisions:

“Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard this, they turned around and followed Jesus. – John 1:36-37

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. – John 1:41-42

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” – John 1:45

I have always been intrigued by what compels people, across different times and places, to abandon everything in pursuit of an ideal—whether it be an invention, a passion, the discovery of new lands despite the brutal uncertainties of the sea or the promise of transcending into a higher reality. The willingness to forsake all for a greater purpose is not unique to the disciples; history is filled with such stories.

So, what truly sets apart those who followed Jesus from others who have pursued great endeavors? If we examine their motives, sacrifices, and intentions, the pattern is similar: they recognized something greater than what they had and chose to pursue it. Anyone who is convinced of a higher calling will forsake what is lesser for what is greater. Conviction fuels sacrifice, and it is only sustained by the depth of that conviction.

But the key difference lies in the source of their conviction and the path they walked.

As revealed in John 17:6-8, the conviction of the disciples was divine in origin. The sacrifices that followed, though great, were nothing compared to the force of that conviction. It is easy to magnify the sacrifices, but doing so at the expense of the conviction would diminish the role of divine influence in drawing men to God.

"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." – Acts 17:27

Taking the first step is admirable. Enduring the losses and sacrifices is equally admirable. But without conviction, neither would exist, let alone be sustained.

The conviction, the answer, the journey—of these three, conviction is the greatest.

Seek conviction, not just the praise or status of answering the call.

Shalom.