Deep Water Surrender

February 11

(Luke 5:11 NIV) “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

(Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. {2} Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

(Mark 10:28-31 NIV) “Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" {29} "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel {30} will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. {31} But many who are first will be last, and the last first.””

We meet Jesus on the shoreline, but our journey as a serious disciple begins when we head out into the deep water. We make a decision to leave everything and follow Jesus. We surrender all. We walk away from relationships, occupations, and sins that would hinder our walk with the Lord. We are no longer free to live as we please. We put Christ ahead of all things. We are disciples of Jesus. We go where He leads. We do what He commands. We live as He lived. We leave everything else behind. This is the open secret of discipleship. This is the unhidden clause in the contract that so many churches fail to disclose today. This relinquishment of rights is found throughout Scripture. If we choose to follow Jesus, we must stop following the other gods of our polytheistic culture. We cannot do both. This is no pleasure cruise. This is a trip out into deep water. Will you make the trip? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day