Introduction

Some 2,000 years ago Jesus gave the invitation “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19) to a small group of fishermen on the shores of Galilee. They “immediately . . . left the boat and . . . followed Him” (verse 22). As they spent time with Jesus, their lives were transformed forever. 

Today Jesus still calls people to be His disciples. Being a disciple begins by following Jesus—spending time with Him through Bible study and prayer, following where He leads. Through the pages of Scripture we too can sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His teachings. We watch as He heals the blind and lame. We see His zeal as He cleanses the temple, and His tenderness as He blesses children. We watch as He reveals love for His enemies and guidance for His friends. Like the disciples of old, we are privy to His profound instruction. We watch in wonder during the closing scenes of His earthly life. Rejoicing at His resurrection, we can still walk with the disciples to Emmaus as Jesus, “beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, . . . expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). 

When we “have been with Jesus” (see Acts 4:13), we are then ready to accept His call to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19, 20). 

I invite you to spend special time with Jesus during this Week of Prayer, as we consider carefully what it means to follow Him.