Recently I have been looking at cars and considering upgrading one of our vehicles.  On the website of a local dealership I found a comment by an unhappy customer: “Beware of the bait and switch at this dealer – I went to look at a car they advertised only to find it was “sold just a few hours ago … but we do have another option.”  The other option was much more expensive.”

Christians at times are guilty of a “bait and switch” by convincing people that all one must do to be a Christian is to believe in Jesus, maybe pray a particular prayer inviting him into one’s life, and be baptized.  That’s the “bait” part.  The “switch” part comes when we point out that Jesus wants us to be disciples (sometimes making it appear to be an option for those who want to take their faith more seriously) who will learn from him, be obedient to him, follow where he leads, and be transformed more and more into his likeness.

Jesus called Simon and Andrew, then James and John  to be his disciples (see Mark 1.16-20).  His call seems sudden, abrupt, terse, and demanding as he approaches them while they are fishing and says, “come and follow me.”

But the invitation is loaded – “come” suggests leaving their occupation, threatening their welfare and that of their families, embarking on an unknown course.  “Follow me” suggests that they are undertaking a new way of life, new values, new priorities, and new risks in order to be with him.

Whenever I read about Jesus calling these guys I marvel.  While it may have been customary for young men to leave home in order to study with a rabbi, Jesus’ call seems to be extraordinarily disruptive, inconvenient, consequential, and demanding.  Yet they follow. Mark makes it sound like they did so without any hesitation, even with great enthusiasm and willingness to abandon every aspect of their lives in order to be with Jesus.

Their response suggests that Jesus embodied a compelling truth, an exceptional God-revealing self, and a persona that was extraordinarily trustworthy.

Jesus calls you and me to the same journey taken by Simon, Andrew, James, John and countless millions of others.  “Come and be with me; know me, learn from me, and follow me – my example and where I lead you.”

Journey.  I like the metaphor of Christian faith and life as a journey for many reasons. Journeys suggest seeking, discovering, adventure, trekking into the unknown with a sense of purpose and arriving at a destination – there to experience amazement and joy.

But journeys can be fraught with risk and threats.

As I write this, hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing war-torn Syria and journeying into Eastern and Central Europe – hoping for safety and a new life.  Not all journeys are ventures of happiness and delight. On the contrary, much of our journey in life and faith is through times of darkness, discouragement, fear, uncertainty, doubt, loss, and grief.

Above all, there is the wonder of life’s journey taken in step with our Creator, walking with Jesus, trekking with the One who knows the path and guides us along that path on a journey marked by welcoming and embracing love, a deep sense of well-being, and joy.

Jesus called men and women to enter into a journey of faith in him; to hold specific beliefs about him, to learn to know him (and in doing so to know God), to be obedient to his leadership in their lives, and to become identified with him by becoming like him.  He continues to call people to this journey today – to be his disciple in order to experience life as God intended and to bless this world with the presence of Jesus in and through us.