The Invitation Is For You

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (v. 17, NIV)

Jesus was beginning his ministry when his cousin, John, was imprisoned. His message of repentance was a continuation of what John had been preaching in the wilderness, “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (v. 4) This is the greatest news to ever be told!

The call to repentance is not just a few fishermen from Galilee, or even a nation that had been God’s chosen people for centuries, but for all. He calls for all of us to turn around from our sin, that’s a complete 180 degree turn, and to begin to live our lives for him. The kingdom of God is something that is here now and we become a part of it when we repent.

Later, as Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he began to put his group of disciples together by calling Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew to follow him. This calling was repeated to 10 other men who came to follow Jesus. The good news is that this call to discipleship is extended to everyone just as the call to repent. We are to repent and become his disciple. That is the GREATEST NEWS OF ALL TIME!!! God, the creator of the universe, has come to earth so that we, his creation, have the opportunity to be a part of his kingdom, WOW! What an invitation!

As you are reading this message, the invitation is being extended to you. As a matter of fact, it has been extended long before you were born, you may just be noticing it for the first time now. Whether you are unfamiliar with this call or not, it is there for you, will you receive it and repent to become a disciple of Jesus?

This invitation is not just for the person who has never known him, it is for everyone. If you have repented and are living in the kingdom here on earth, great! However, this is a lifestyle that requires us to make disciples (fishers for people), are you making disciples? If not, you need to repent because this is the call of all those who claim the name of Jesus. Turn from your disobedience and obey his commands to love God, love others, and make disciples, that is the call of all who come to him.

I pray that you will find a deeper walk with Christ and that you will find it all to be a joy, even in times of trouble.

God bless.