I have just finished my appointment with my wonderful psychologist - a beautiful woman of God - who encourages me not only with my mental health but my FAITH. Today she reminded me, after 60 years of mental health challenges, I AM A SURVIVOR! But why - because I have a SAVIOUR and FRIEND in JESUS CHRIST.
This new "boy band", has actually been around for years, but they now remind me of Jesus' disciples (followers). They first lived their lives in the world - as famous performers in the world; but now they are following Jesus as "fishers of men". Like Jesus' disciples, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily, have left their fame and fortune, to take up their greatest love to serve God as His "ministers" with worship.
"As Jesus walked beside the SEA OF GALILEE . He saw two brothers, SIMON, called PETER and his brother ANDREW. They were casting their nets into the lake, for they were fishermen. "COME FOLLOW ME", Jesus said, and "I WILL SEND YOU OUT TO FISH FOR PEOPLE. They left their nets and followed Him." Matthew 4:18-20(NIV)
1.ANDREW
Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist, and was Jesus' first disciple. He brought his younger brother Peter to Jesus. He is not mentioned a lot, like his brother, but he was born in Bethsaida near Galilee, and like Peter he was a fisherman and later became a great evangelist.
"The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah (that is Christ), and he brought him to Jesus." John 1:41&42. (NIV)
In the T.V show, "THE CHOSEN", we see how Andrew was a good follower and friend of John the Baptist and went to visit him when he was in jail. Like Jesus he grieved when John was beheaded by Herod Antipas.
Andrew was later persecuted in Greece, for his faith and became a martyr, because he continued to preach, and he prayed for those who tormented him. He is the patron Saint of many European countries: Russia, Romania, Ukrain and Scotland, having been crucified on what was to be known as St Andrew's Cross.
2. PETER (SIMON)
Peter's original name was Simon, yet Jesus changed it to PETER- THE ROCK.
"Jesus looked at Him and said: "You are Simon, the Son of John. You will be called Cephas , (which, when translated is Peter). " John 1:42b (NIV)
Later Peter became an Apostle and was the "chief" leader, who would build the early Church we read about in Acts. Peter's name is mentioned more often than any other disciple and is very "essential" to Jesus' story.
Simon Peter's wife is seen on the T.V's "The Chosen", but she is not mentioned in the Bible. His mother in law was healed by Jesus in Capernau,, and it is believed he left his wife to follow Jesus. In 1 Corinthians it is believed the Apostles had the right to take their wives on their missionary journeys.
"Do we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other Apostles and the Lord's brothers do, and as Peter does?" 1 Corinthians 9:5 (NLT)
The name Simon means to "listen and obey". When the disciples were at the Last Supper, the night before Jesus' betrayal, arrest and trial, He told his disciples that there would be a time when He would be alone, and they would let Him down. He specifically told Peter that three times he would deny Him.
"Simon Peter said to Him: "Lord, where are you going?"
Jesus answered: "Where I am going, you cannot follow Me, now, but you shall follow Me afterward."
Peter said to Him: "Why can I not follow you? I will lay down my life for your sake?"
Jesus answered him: "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times." John 13:36-38 (NIV)
Peter indeed became a very faithful Apostle, spreading the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles and guiding the early Chuch and us today. According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified upside down, in Rome under Emporer Nero. It is believed he did this because he still felt guilty for denying Jesus.
3. JOHN
John and his brother James were both fishermen, and had the nickname: "MEN OF THUNDER". Why? They were "zealous and bold with fiery peronalities". Yet later, John's character was refined as the "the one whom Jesus loved".
"LOVE EACH OTHER. Just as I HAVE LOVED YOU, YOU SHOULD LOVE EACH OTHER. By this everyone will know that you are MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER." John 13:34&35 (NLT/NIV)
John was also a very LOVING and COMPASSIONATE disciple, and he talks about LOVE in His Gospel a lot. Why? Probably because it was an an important part of Jesus' teaching and ministry. We too, like John, need to walk in JESUS LOVE, and treat others as He wanted his disciples to.
When Jesus was on the cross, dying, he asked John to take care of his mother Mary, for he was known as the "one Jesus loved". Why? It could have been that he was the only disciple who was "standing by his mother" at the cross. He had been a great companion with Jesus in His ministry, and Jesus knew he could be trusted to care for his "widow mother".
"When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby , he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son". Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour, the disciples took her to his home." John 19:26&27 (ESV)
It is also believed that John is the only disciple to have died a natural death. He was exiled to Patmos, because oof his faith. It was here he received his vision and wrote the book of Revelation. Eventually he returned to Ephesus, and wrote his Letters there. It is said he died peacefully, an old man around 98AD.
4. JAMES
"Going on from there, He saw two brothers, James, Son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them and they immediately left their boats and followed Him." Matthew 4:21-22 (NIV)
Here we have the other "Son of Thunder". Why did Jesus give them this name? Well, both these brothers had "thunder like qualities". At one stage, when they were travelling through a Samaritan village, and they had some opposition:
"And when His disciples James and John saw it, they said: "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from Heaven and consume them." Luke 9:54 (ESV)
James was a passionate speaker. Like his brother, he was bold and aggressive at times. As they spent more time with Jesus and listened to his teachings, they grew as faithful, loving followers.
James was the first Apostle put to death by King Herod. He was beheaded by the sword, about 44AD.
"It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the Church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death by the sword." Acts 12:1&2 (NIV)
Every follower of Jesus had a "not so great before" life, but they became great preachers, changed lived with the Scriptures, amd devoted their lives to serving others. They were "precious to JESUS", and we too can live and love as His followers.
"Fear not, I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. YOU ARE MINE! When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU......... YOU ARE MY WITNESSES, says the Lord, and MY SERVANT whom I HAVE CHOSEN......I even I am the Lord, and beside me, THERE IS NO SAVIOUR." Isaiah 43:1,2a,10a,11 (NKJV)
"The Holy Bible - New King Jame Bible", 1982, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New Liiving Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"The Holy Bible - English Standard Version", 2001, Good News Publishers
"My Savior", 2025, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Mark Feehil, (Weslife)/ Tiffany Hudson, Chris Brown, Jonsal Barrietes, Jenna Barrietes, Isaiah Templeton, Jane Willams (Elevation Worship), (Performers), New Powerful Worship Anthem, Gospel World Studio/You Tube
"The Chosen - TV Series: 1, 2, 4", 2019, 2021, 2024, "Peter - The Rock", "Thunder", "The Beloved Disciple", "Calling Fishermen", Dallas Jenkins (Co-Writer, Creator and Director); Shahar Isacc (Peter), Noah James (Andrew), George Harrison Xanthis (John), Jordan Walker Ross (James), Jonathon Roumie (Jesus), Prime Video.
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