“Come” (and then “Go”)

2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalms 142; Matthew 14 

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it is you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said.”

Matthew 14:27-29

When Jesus called his disciples from their occupations of fishing, tax collecting, or farming, he said, “Come, follow me.” When he walked to them on the water in the middle of the night, his word was still come, but the risk was greater.

Are we still saying yes to Jesus’ call to come follow me, regardless the cost, direction, or context?

Before we can go and make disciples of all nations, we must first learn to come and follow Jesus. These two rhythms of come and then go are repeated in the way Jesus trained his disciples and must also be a part of our rhythm of life as we follow Jesus in mission. As we come to be with Jesus we are renewed and transformed (even if it means “walking on water”). Our pursuit of the presence of Jesus gives us courage, resources, and faith to then go and share the good news of Jesus in our world.

Are we both coming and going?

“Lord Jesus, help me to establish this rhythm of coming to you and then going in your strength, for your glory.”