Eyes Wide Open: 41-Day Lenten Devotional Sample

Living for the Sake of Others

“Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me. I will make you fish for men!’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” - Matthew 4:19-20

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

When Jesus found Peter and Andrew at the Sea of Galilee, he changed their lives forever with the simplest of commands: “Follow me.” He called them to leave their pasts—their nets, boats, and fishing careers—behind in the hopes that they could one day learn to fish as Jesus did.  

As Peter, Andrew, and the other disciples traveled with Jesus around Galilee watching him preach and teach his way through crowds of curious listeners, each had to come to grips with what being his disciples would look like long term. In fact, Christians still today encounter this same question in their own spiritual walks: What does Jesus really ask of those who choose to follow him? 

Christ died for all, and therefore all died. These words may sound harrowing for those of us who wish to follow him while still maintaining some sense of self-autonomy. The truth is, we are called, as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians, to no longer live for ourselves. 

Life on this earth is no longer simply about the daily rhythms of tangled nets and early morning fishing trips. Jesus offers us an invitation into the Kingdom of God—the opportunity to join in the work that He is doing to redeem this broken world. 

As Jesus’ followers, we are charged to live our lives daily for the One who gave his life up on our behalf. We learn to surrender, laying ourselves daily at his feet so that we too might learn to love as he did. 

Prayer: Father, help us to lay down our lives at your feet in response to your great sacrifice on the cross. Let us learn to live not for our own success, fame, or reputation but for your glory alone.