While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
Luke 18:18-23
Two similar requests — Leave it and follow Me.
Two different responses.
In the first case, Peter and Andrew left their nets immediately and followed Jesus.
There’s no record of any quibbling from either of these humble fishermen. They just dropped their nets — keep in mind that these nets were the very tools of their trade, their means of making a living — and followed Jesus.
The rich ruler, on the other hand, quibbled from the beginning. His question was a loaded one, as he seems to be looking to justify himself.
This rich guy’s intent was not to satisfy Jesus, but rather to have Jesus validate his goodness.
You see, he was righteous in his own mind, and rather than honestly seeking guidance, he was fishing for a compliment.
When Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, he turned away from Jesus and headed back to his stuff.
He wanted confirmation, not counsel.
So what do we see here?
Similar requests.
Dissimilar responses.
Who do you suppose answered correctly?
Who pleased Jesus?
Here’s the point: There may come a day when you’re called to leave your nets. Or your nest or your job or your girlfriend or your boyfriend or your school or your wealth or…you get the picture.
What will your answer be?
Maybe you’re actually facing such a decision at this very moment.
What are you going to do?
The choice is yours. Your response belongs to you, and nobody else. You’ll own it.
Will you follow Jesus or your self?
What will you do?