Ninety Miles In

John 1:43–2:1

It’s easy to read the end of John 1 and miss what happens next. Jesus calls these men to follow Him—and they actually follow Him.

Not metaphorically. Not from the comfort of home. They started walking.

Jesus headed toward Galilee, and depending on the starting point and route, the journey from the area where John was baptizing to Galilee could mean many days of travel and roughly 70–90 miles or more on foot. There were no cars, comfortable hotels or quick flights home. These new disciples had barely begun to understand who Jesus was, yet their first response to His invitation was commitment. They put miles beneath their feet.

Think about that. Before they saw Jesus feed thousands, walk on water, calm storms or raise Lazarus from the dead, they were already walking behind Him. Their faith wasn’t built on knowing everything that was coming. It began with trusting the One who said, “Follow Me.”

Sometimes we want Jesus to show us the destination before we’re willing to take the first step. We want answers. We want certainty. We want to know how everything is going to work out. But discipleship has always required movement before understanding. These men didn’t know where following Jesus would ultimately take them. They simply knew who they were following.

And after all those miles, they arrive in Galilee. Then comes Cana. A wedding. A problem nobody expects. And the first sign recorded by John that will begin revealing exactly who they’ve been following.

Today’s thought: If following Jesus costs me some miles, some comfort, or some certainty—will I still follow?

Circle up!

Shannon Formby, Founder of My Faith Journey

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