Imagine: you’ve always dreamed of being a lawyer, doctor, or engineer. But life took some unexpected turns—you had to drop out of school, couldn’t finish college, and now you’re stuck in a dead-end job just to make ends meet. One day, in the middle of your shift, a world-renowned lawyer (or doctor, engineer—whatever your dream profession) walks in, sees something in you, and says, “Come with me. I’ll teach you everything, give you opportunities you never dreamed of, but you need to drop everything and follow me now.”
What would you do? You’d probably drop everything and go.
That’s the scenario Peter found himself in. Jesus called him from his fishing boat, offering him a new life as His disciple. And today, Jesus extends the same call to us—not just to believe, but to follow Him as His apprentice.
What’s Missing in Our Understanding of the Gospel?
Today, many of us have an incomplete view of the Gospel. If I asked you to explain it, you might say something like: “Acknowledge you’re a sinner, accept Jesus, and you’ll go to heaven when you die.” That’s all true, but it’s not the full picture.
This “American Gospel” often becomes a transactional message: “Believe in Jesus to avoid hell.” But Jesus didn’t come just to save us from something; He came to save us for something. The focus shouldn’t be on getting into heaven but on heaven getting into us—right here, right now.
Jesus preached the gospel, and it wasn’t the gospel we’re used to hearing. When he preached the Gospel in Mark 1:15 this was the script:
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Let’s break that down.
“The Time is Fulfilled”
When Jesus says “The time is fulfilled,” He’s announcing that the long-awaited Messiah has arrived. Centuries of promises made to Abraham, Moses, and David are coming true in Him. Think of it like this: you’ve been waiting years for the release of a big movie, the date keeps getting pushed back, and then finally, the day comes. Jesus is saying, “The wait is over—God’s Kingdom is here.”
“The Kingdom of God Has Come Near”
The Kingdom of God isn’t just some distant future reality where we float off to heaven. It’s here, now, and Jesus invites us to live under God’s rule today. This isn’t about escaping hell or earning a ticket to heaven. It’s about aligning our lives with God’s values and purposes—right here on earth.
“Repent and Believe”
“Repent” means more than feeling sorry for sin. It means turning your life around, aligning it with God’s ways. Repentance is about choosing a new way of life—God’s way. And then, Jesus says, “Believe the good news.” This isn’t just intellectual belief—it’s trust, loyalty, and faith in Jesus as King.
The Cost of Discipleship
The American Gospel often presents a low-cost version of Christianity: believe, say a prayer, and you’re good. But Dietrich Bonhoeffer called this “cheap grace,” which is grace without discipleship, without the cross, without Jesus. Jesus’ gospel is costly. He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). It demands commitment over convenience.
Following Jesus isn’t about avoiding punishment; it’s about embracing a new way of life. And while it may seem costly, not following Him costs far more. As Dallas Willard said, “Non-discipleship costs you the abundance of life Jesus came to bring.”
The Way of Jesus
The first followers of Jesus weren’t called “Christians” at first; they were called “The Way.” Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” His way is not just about believing a set of doctrines or following a list of dos and don’ts. It’s a whole way of living.
If you want to experience the life Jesus lived—filled with peace, joy, and love—you have to live the way He lived. Think about it like this: If you want the body of an athlete and all the benefits (energy, mobility); you’ve got to train like they do. Adopting Jesus’ lifestyle is the only way to truly experience the abundant life He offers.
The Invitation
In Mark 8:34, Jesus says,
“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Here’s the good news: anyone can follow Jesus. You don’t need to be elite, perfect, or special. Peter was a fisherman who didn’t make the cut to be a rabbi’s apprentice—but Jesus invited him anyway. And He’s inviting you too.
He is calling you to become His apprentice, to live a life that reflects His love, peace, and joy. But it will cost you everything. It will require you to let go of your old life and follow Him fully.
Are You Ready?
Are you just a believer in Jesus, or are you His apprentice? Are you content with a gospel that promises heaven when you die, or are you ready to embrace the gospel that brings heaven to earth through you?
He’s inviting you to step into a life that not only transforms you but can change the world. The choice is yours. Will you answer the call?