November 26, 2025

Hey guys,

I hope you're having a great week. It's a big week. It's a week to be thankful, and as you spend time with family and friends this weekend, I hope you take some time to really think about the things that you have to be thankful for. Certainly, there are things we struggle with and things we wish were different, but I challenge you to just take a few minutes and write down the things for which you have to be thankful. I bet that as you begin to write those down, you'll realize that there is a lot more there than you consistently think about.

This week’s Thought comes from Matthew chapter four, specifically verses 20 and 22. The bigger context here is Jesus calling His disciples to follow Him. In verse 20 it says, “At once, they left their nets and followed Him.” That is in reference to Peter and Andrew. Then in verse 22 it says, “They immediately followed him, leaving their boat and their father behind.” This is in reference to James and John, the sons of Zebedee…the “sons of thunder”. Every time I've read that, I've always wondered the same thing…What was it in that moment that they saw? What did they experience? What did they feel that made them willing to leave everything, to leave the family business, and follow this stranger?

We know these four men were professional fishermen, so to just drop their nets and leave was totally unexpected. This was not simply, “Hey, I'll leave my fishing pole here, and I'll come back and get it later. I can buy a can of worms at the bait store tomorrow!” This was their family business. This was their livelihood, and they were leaving that behind, dropping what they were doing, and following Jesus. As I mentioned, I’ve always wondered, what was it in that moment that made them decide to do that? Unfortunately, I’m not exactly sure the answer to that question, but they had to see something in His face, something in His eyes, feel something in their bones, that was so strong and so powerful they decided it was worth it to leave everything. 

Isn't that what salvation is? Isn't that deciding I can't do it my way anymore? I'm leaving that old life behind, and I'm following Jesus. I'm giving Him everything. We know that Peter, Andrew, James and John spent the next three years with Jesus. They became apostles themselves, and had an impact on 1000’s and ultimately, millions throughout history, all because they saw something in Jesus that was worth following. So, I challenge you today, take a minute to stare into the face of Jesus and find that thing that is worth following. 

Love you guys. Happy Thanksgiving,

John