Wednesday, March 19, 2025: Lent Three

                The Lenten Journey:  The Road Less Travelled

 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. (Matthew 4: 18 – 20, New Living Translation)

                 Sometimes, simply following along is not the best recipe for fulfillment. To go along with the flow may seem to avoid pitfalls and mistakes, but it may also lead to poor choices. I would seldom recommend just following blindly.  To some, perhaps, following conjures up images of timidity, servility, avoidance of change and new directions. Others might see following as passivity, meek compliance, maintaining the status quo or taking the easy or simple way through life. All of this may be true. Following the crowd is not always our best option.

                Yet Jesus spoke to Peter and Andrew and beckoned them both to “Come, follow me.” Incredibly, it seems that they immediately left their nets and followed Jesus. There was nothing certain or normal or conventional about their decision or the path they were choosing. It boggles the mind. The Message describes their decision: “They asked no questions.”  Any of us might want more details, answers, explanations, time to think it over, time to make arrangements, time to pack. But, “they left their nets at once and followed him.” Were they acting like two gullible, naïve, ignorant dupes? Did they have any idea what they were getting into or the outcome of such a radical decision?

                Perhaps, they had heard of Jesus or even seen him in action, but the text doesn’t say that. I think the Gospel writer wants us to understand the compelling choice which Jesus gives any of us when he calls us by name.  The brothers were about their normal, everyday occupation - fishing. It was hard, manual labour, working often through the night, sometimes coming up empty. Jesus interrupts their work and calls out to follow him.  It is not just an invitation or a suggestion or a request. It is a call. Maybe not a demand exactly but a challenge, a test, a life-changing choice.  I think the brothers knew the radical nature of that call and chose to follow Jesus despite the sheer nonsense of it in anyone else’s minds.

                Much later in this journey with Jesus, Peter askes Jesus, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” (Matthew 19:27)  There is enough evidence in the Gospels to see that the disciples, Jesus’ band of followers, were often expecting glory to be their end-game, to have power, and sit in high places of honour.  They are amazed and dismayed to hear Jesus talk about the need to pick up crosses and follow him to the Cross. Surely, that wasn’t what they signed up for when they left their nets. In Matthew 19, Jesus responds to Peter: “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” But the pathway, the road less travelled, is one of humility, sacrifice, service, loving others and giving up blindly following the ways of the world. “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)

                Following Jesus is unlike any thing else we can choose to do with our lives. It alters our perspective; changes our direction; gives us purpose; holds us to account, and leads us in paths of righteousness, justice and love. And, oh yes, did I mention it is the road to our redemption, the forgiveness of God and our salivation? What more do you want? It is not always easy to take this path to follow Jesus. There are those who will try to dissuade us and lure us into following some other road. There can be trials and tribulations which will tempt us to give up and walk away. We can get discouraged and disappointed. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7: 13 -14)

                There were many ups and downs in Peter’s and Andrew’s discipleship. But they persevered. They didn’t quit or give up. They grew in knowledge, experience and faith. They lived up to the challenge that Jesus gave them that day by the shore. May we simply stop what we are doing and pay attention to the voice of Jesus and turn our faces and move our feet in the direction he is leading.

                I have decided to follow Jesus;
                I have decided to follow Jesus;
                I have decided to follow Jesus;
                No turning back; no turning back.

                If no one joins me, still I will follow;
                If no one joins me, still I will follow;
                If no one joins me, still I will follow;
                No turning back; no turning back.

                The cross before me, the world behind me;
                The cross before me, the world behind me;
                The cross before me, the world behind me;
                No turning back, no turning back. (Simon Marak)

Dale