There was once a time when the world knew not of its Savior. Yet there was hope because it had been foretold that a child would be born and called Emmanuel – God is with us. In Lent, we prepare for his coming anew. During this season, we discover for ourselves the call of salvation and the promise of eternal life.
Lent 2017: 40 Days to Faith
Jesus begins to walk the land. His walking takes him to a fig tree where he finds a man named Nathaniel sitting in the shade of the tree. Nathaniel gets up from the familiarity of the grass and follows Jesus.
Before Jesus found Nathaniel, his walking had taken him to a man named Philip. Philip leaves his life behind and follows Jesus.
Before Jesus found Philip, his walking had taken him to two brothers named James and John. The brothers immediately stop their work, say goodbye to their father, Zebedee, and follow Jesus.
Before Jesus found James and John, he found Andrew. Andrew had been with John the Baptist and had heard the Baptist’s prophetic message of “one greater to follow.” When Andrew sees Jesus, he comes to a sudden realization. Andrew rushes to his brother, Simon, and tells him:
“We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41)
Simon, a fisherman who will be called Peter, goes to Jesus who says,
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
And Peter follows.
How many people would leave their homes, would leave their work, would leave their families; would leave their entire lives behind to follow a man they had just met and go on an uncharted journey? But Christianity exists today because these men did. They heard Jesus say, “follow me” and they heeded the call. They followed because they believed. They believed because they were witnesses to the truth. And the truth is as they said:
Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ.
These Gospel stories are re-imagined in the book series:
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