You want
to walk and talk with Jesus? Ask him.
Calling the Fishermen |
(Art by James Tissot, French, 1886-1994)
Sitting
on the banks of the Jordan River one day, I watched the rustic
looking John baptize people in the water, dunking them one by one. He
baptized me, praying. I cried for my sins.
Several
men and women around, sitting and standing, curiously enjoyed the
sight. In the bright sun I saw this imposing man approach along the
shore.
Later, I
learned his name, Jesus.
John and
he looked at each other. Jesus lay aside his main tunic and entered
the water. This tremendous spiritual presence filled the air as John
baptized him. It was remarkable. A beautiful, commanding voice from
the Heavens sounded all around.
“You
are my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”
We
watched astounded as Jesus put on his garment and walked away. No one
moved, as if frozen. I felt my whole being filled with God. Soon
after, I heard John was arrested and put in prison by that tyrant,
King Herod. I didn't
hear anything about Jesus, either, for several weeks.
I found
him again in the regions of Galilee. I felt strongly compelled to
join other men watching Jesus. The heavenly voice I heard still
burned alive in my heart.
“The
time is now,” preached Jesus. “Repent of your sins and believe
the good news of God's Kingdom.”
I
watched him when he approached the two fishermen brothers, Simon and
Andrew, at the lake.
“I
will make you fishers of men.”
They
looked at him, folded their nets, and placed them in the boat. They
followed him. A little group of us walked along the shore and watched
him. We didn't want to leave.
He also
called the brothers, James and John. They stepped out of their
father's boat, left the crew, and walked in the slapping waves to the
shore to join Jesus. It was a beautiful moment. The rest of us all
smiled at the new “fishermen of men,” wondering what might be in
store for them (Mark, Chapter 1).
*****
As a
young man, I walked alone down the long curvy drive under the trees
in the dark. Overhead, a billion stars twinkled in the night.
Suddenly, I felt a presence now walking with me.
“Is
that you?” I asked.
“I
didn't know you watched me.”
“Yes,”
he said.
“I
want to talk with you”
“I've
long hoped to talk with you,” I said.
“I'll
always be with you,” he said.
– Bill
Hunt
"He
who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he
who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and
manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21 NKJV).
Q. What
was it like when Jesus revealed himself to you?
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1 comment:
Oh...the Sunday after I went to a Billy Graham crusade I just knew I had to walk down the center aisle and meet Jesus when he called me.....He has been meeting me ever since and it is so wonderful that we never have to be alone, ever! And some day face to face we will see Him...Loved your story, Bill! Lori
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