(Fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee in our day)Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.
12/27- Mark 1:19,20
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Calvin abridged: The first thing that stands out here is the power of Christ’s voice. It is not his voice alone- but his voice along with the inward address by the Holy Spirit. Ministers can learn from this passage to lay aside other endeavors and devote themselves fully to the Church to which they are appointed.
Thoughts: Calvin lived in a small house with borrowed furniture. No doubt, he could have made money (especially at the end of his life) off of his name. Instead, he simply sought to serve God, and he avoided much criticism that would have hurt his ministry and legacy. Calvin, instead sought to elevate God instead of himself (and so he was buried in an unmarked grave). There is also no doubt that he gave himself tirelessly to the work of the Lord. Some falsely think Calvin was always involved in politics. Calvin’s two political struggles were 1) that the Church be given the right to excommunicate- and that the state should not have this right. And 2) that the state help the poor, exiled, and oppressed. Calvin never held political office, in fact, he wasn’t made a citizen until Christmas Day of 1559 (five years before his death). But leaders sought his advice because of his dedication, faithfulness, integrity and love for God. When Christ calls us- through His Spirit, then we need to stop what we are doing and respond to Him.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to listen to your call today and respond.
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