Have you ever encountered someone that had an unexplainable lasting impression on you that was so amazing that you couldn’t help but want to change yourself for the better? There was just something about them that you couldn’t ignore. That’s how I imagine people felt when they met Jesus!
Reading Matthew 4:18-22 really confirmed this for me. “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him Matthew 4:19-20.
And he called them to come too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind Mathew 4:21-22.Wow this is deep! These men literally left at once and followed a man they never had met before until that moment. They immediately followed leaving everything behind, including their family! Can you do that? That’s how I know there had to be something absolutely undeniable about Jesus! People don’t just typically commit to leaving their life behind in an instant. I know that I can’t imagine just walking away from my son without hesitation!
What was it about Him that people followed Him? The name Jesus in Hebrew means “Yahweh saves.” Christ in Greek means “anointed.”Jesus was also called Immanuel, meaning God is with us.”Sounds like He lived up to His name and it was apparent who He was as soon as someone met Him. The gospel of John describes Him as the bread and water of life, the light, the door, the way, the truth and the life. I would imagine that one felt love, peace, joy, passion, safe, respect, glory and wonder when encountering His presence. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to finally meet Him, hang out in Heaven and find out for myself.
So, what can we do as Christians to have an effect on people like He did? Well, I will say that it is pretty hard. After all, although He was fully human, he was still fully God as well. As for us, we are sinners living in a fallen world. Jesus was absolutely without sin! I encourage you to follow the instructions Jesus gave us, which is to go out and make disciples (Matt 28:19). The great news is Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit as Christians (John 14:15-16). The Holy Spirit will teach us everything and will remind us of everything Jesus has taught us (John 14:26). As a believer and follower of Jesus, He promises that the Holy Spirit will be our advocate. The advocate will illuminate, guide, support and encourage. To be Christ-like, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore , in order to be Christ-like, you must exhibit the fruit of the spirit, live everyday going out and making disciples, being prepared to explain the reason for your hope and doing so in a gentle and respectful way (1 Peter 3:15).
