How did Jesus disciple people? He did it by inviting them to follow. “Follow Me” is Jesus’ two-word, oft-repeated invitation in the Gospels. Again and again, to all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds and income brackets, Jesus simply welcomed them into the opportunity to follow Him with their lives. For them, at that time, this meant to literally walk away from their normal lives. The fishermen left the sea, the tax collector his tax collecting box, the politically connected their causes. The prostitutes left their employment, the sinners their pasts, the outcasts their lostness. Following Jesus was not just a decision that changed direction, it was a decision that changed life for good. Indeed, it was for good. And when someone needed restoring after stumbling, Jesus knew just how to do that as well. In today’s passage, John 21, Peter is in need of such restoring, and Jesus takes him back in order to take him forward.
This Sunday we are welcoming into membership and into the life of this congregation the seven guys who have been walking in the confirmation class throughout this year. They have had weekly classes, more than 20 of you praying for them, fun outings, a weekend retreat, and lots of discussions about Jesus, about life, about what it might mean to follow Him more fully. So, this Sunday is the culmination of that class. We will welcome these seven guys into this congregation: Jordan B, Barrett F, Conner F, Liam F, Holden S, Dylan T, and Jesse T.
Part of that following for you and me is connecting with the body, coming to worship, experiencing that life together. So -- come! Don’t let us miss out on worshiping and being with you, and don’t you miss out on what God has for you in the worshiping gathering.