Light the WAY!
Entering into a new year we are reminded of resolutions and promises which we have made in past years and ones we will make this coming year. Most of these promises have been and will be broken. We cannot seem to keep our word, whether to ourselves or others, but unlike us, God always keeps His word. If He says it, you can stake your life on it.
Throughout history Yahweh has promised those who look to Him in faith that He would be sending an anointed one, a savior for the world. Yahweh was going to shine the light of the kingdom of heaven into the lives of men. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus, His only begotten son, who claimed to be that light from heaven.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12
Jesus’ claim was confirmed by Yahweh through Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church.
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
All four Gospels record Jesus calling and setting apart twelve men to follow Him in life and practice [Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27, and John 1:43]. He told them strange things, such as they would fish for men [Mark 1:17] and that they would become the light of the world [Matthew 5:14].
The life of a disciple following Jesus was one of knowing and hearing Jesus [John 10:27], it was one of serving Jesus [John 12:26]. Following Jesus is glorifying God with one’s life [John 21:19]. Peter became concerned about John and what he was to do as a disciple, but Jesus told Peter it was none of his concern. Peter was to be concerned about his own following of Jesus, not others.
“Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’” John 21:22
Our life of following Jesus is a personal life between ourselves and Jesus Himself. Yet to follow Jesus holds great requirements and expectations. A disciple’s life of following Jesus is a life where we are committed to Jesus above our own life. He has preeminence over our life, our family, our hopes and dreams, and even the possessions we work so hard to obtain. Jesus tells us to count the cost of discipleship before we commit to following Him [Matthew 10:38, 18:24, 19:21, Mark 8:34, 10:21, Luke 9:23, 9:59, 18:22].
What does Jesus expect from His followers? He expects obedience and the fulfillment of our calling. He is the Light of the world and Jesus expects His followers to bring the light of His kingdom into our world [Matthew 5:14]. To put it more practically, Jesus wants His followers today to fish for the souls of men [Mark 1:17].
As followers of the King of kings and Lord of lords let us spend 2026 fishing for men for the Kingdom of God.
Because Jesus loves us,
Brother Hugh Folds
Matthew 6:33
