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| Mark 1:16-20 - Called to Follow |
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The world is looking for leaders to step up today. Jesus is looking for followers to step out today and follow Him in point of need ministry. Stepping out will require faith and that faith is initiated by Jesus in those who He calls. He calls us right where we are at. He calls us as just as we are. He makes us into what He wants us to be as we answer the call and follow Him.
The first 15 verses of the Gospel of Mark tells us about the ministry of John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus, the temptation of Jesus and the message of Jesus, which is the same message for us in our day. In verse 15, we hear Jesus say "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." After making His message simple and clear, He began to call those who would follow Him and continue His point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
(Mark 1:16-20 ESV)
John the Baptist is in prison and Jesus could have decided to continue His ministry alone, but He chose not to do so. His plan is to call people to follow Him. He will train, empower and direct them to continue His point of need ministry. He trains by example, He empowers by the Holy Spirit and He directs through His Word.
Notice with me that Jesus started right where these people were at. He did not set up an office in a building and expect people to come to Him. He went to where people were at. In this instance, He went to their workplace. Their business was fishing. Fishing was a very lucrative business in Jesus’ day. It was hard work and the hours were long, but it paid very well as it was a main source of meat for the people’s consumption. The fish would be sold preserved by salted or fresh. The fresh fish was very expensive and considered a delicacy in Rome.
The brothers, Simon and Peter had a small two man operation. James and John were part of a family owned business that was much larger as we are told that they had hired workers. Obviously their father Zebedee ran the business and his two sons were in line to take it over.
These that Jesus called were common folk. They worked hard for a living. Like everyone else, they had made mistakes in their life. They had experienced both good times and bad times. When they were not working, they would spend time with friends and family. They lived this life day by day, but on this day, Jesus upsets the routine and comes to them at work. And Jesus calls them as they are. He calls them to follow Him. They were not at that time what Jesus wanted them to become, but He promised to make them what He wanted them to be. What they will become will depend upon their following Him.
Friend, if you are not yet following Jesus, please know today that Jesus is calling you. His call is the same as it was on this day alongside the Sea of Galilee. He calls you right where you are at and He calls you just as you are. You are not what He wants you to be yet, but that does not matter to Him. He calls you anyway and promises to make you what He wants you to be. What you will become depends upon you following Him. You don’t have to go to a church service, walk an aisle and repeat a prayer after a pastor. Jesus did not teach that at all. All you have to do is to step out of what you have grown accustomed to – that is the boat that you are in. Don’t hold on to the things of this world with a white knuckled intensity – that is your nets. Just drop the nets, get out of the boat and follow Jesus. He will take you on an exciting and rewarding journey from earth to glory.
Jesus’ call demands an immediate response. These ones alongside the Sea of Galilee this day would have to leave their former way of life and its agenda. They would have to leave the security in which they had grown comfortable. They would have to place themselves under the authority and teachings of Jesus. They would have to trust Him. They would have to walk in the faith that Jesus was now initiating in them in order for that faith to grow and one day reach perfection. It would not be an easy journey, but it would be a rewarding journey. They made the right choice that day. It was immediate. They dropped the nets. They got out of the boat. And they followed Jesus. What will you do today?
Beloved, it’s not as much about whom we are as it is what Jesus can make us. Those Jesus calls, He will make into what He desires them to be and the finished person will not look like the one that answered the call. All that those called must do is keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and follow Him. Along the way, He will perfect the faith that He initiated in them when He first called them. God’s Word says in Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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