June 2, 2025

Two Words That Changed Everything

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."
Matthew 4:19

Two words changed everything. Jesus stood by the sea and said, "Follow me." That's it. No forms to fill out. No test to pass. Just two simple words that turned fishermen into world-changers. Today we've added so much to these two words. We mean well, but sometimes our additions hide the simple beauty of what Jesus said.

Picture this scene: fishermen fixing their nets. The smell of fish fills the air. Their hands are rough from years of work. It's just another day. Then Jesus walks up and speaks two words that will echo forever. In 1873, Dwight L. Moody was selling shoes when God called him. He left his business and became a great evangelist. Moody said, "It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him." He understood something important. Following Jesus isn't complicated. We make it complicated.

Think about discipleship today. We go to classes. We fill out workbooks. We move through levels. These tools can help us grow. But sometimes we focus so much on the process that we miss the Person. Jesus didn't hand Peter a syllabus. He didn't give Andrew homework. He simply said, "Follow me," and they dropped their nets. The Greek word "akoloutheo" means to walk the same path. It means to go where someone else goes. It's about relationship, not rules.

"Follow me" really means "Walk with me and I'll show you how to live." Kinda sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger but better. It's Jesus! Jesus wants friendship, not just students. He wants to change our hearts, not just fill our heads. Yes, we need to read the Bible. Yes, programs can help us grow. But these are tools to help the relationship, not replace it. Think of it like this: a trellis helps a plant grow, but the trellis isn't the plant. Our tools should help us follow Jesus, not become the main thing.

The best part? "Follow me" works for everyone. New believer? Follow Jesus. Been saved for years? Follow Jesus. Bible college graduate? Follow Jesus. The fishermen didn't wait until they understood everything. They just started walking with Jesus. They learned as they went. Their classroom was a dusty road. Their lessons were daily life. Their Teacher was always with them. This is what discipleship really is.

Godseekers, those two words still change everything. They cut through our complicated systems. They speak straight to our hearts. Jesus isn't looking for perfect people. He's looking for willing people. Here's the beautiful truth: we grow by following, not by preparing to follow. Every tool, every program, every study works best when we keep these two words at the center: Follow me.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for keeping it simple. Forgive us when we make following You harder than it needs to be. Help us use tools wisely without losing sight of You. Give us courage to drop our nets and follow. Show us how to invite others to walk with You too. In Your name, Amen.