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-"As
Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to
them, 'follow me and I will make you fish for people.' And Immediately they
left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James
son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the
nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the
boat with the hired men, and followed him." Mark 1: 16-20
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This is how it was for Jesus in the early days. He
would approach a person he did not know, look them in
the eye, I presume, and tell them to follow him. Then
they would drop everything and just go along with him.
I always wonder what that moment must have been like for
Simon, Andrew, James and John. What did they see that
made them drop everything and go with him? Mark does
not report to us that Jesus used in any tricks or
special words. He didn't give a stump speech or argue
his case. He just said 'follow me,' and off they went.
This passage, as much as almost any other in the New
Testament, fills me with wonder.
I also wonder about the reactions of the families and
friends of these men. What was their reaction? I am
betting things did not go well. Since the men were of
working age, it is logical to assume all of them had
wives and children. Mark tells us that James and John
walked out on their dad. I know how I would feel if
someone did this to me. I would be angry. I would
wonder where their priorities were, and I would remind
them that no matter what God wanted of them, God also
wanted them to tend to their responsibilities. And then
I would have watched as they walked away anyway, and I
would think they had gone completely crazy. And so now
I wonder, is that what God wants from us sometimes?
Does following God mean that sometimes we do things that
seem a little, or perhaps a lot, crazy? Hmmmm...
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Prayer: Holy God, help me to listen for your calling in
my life? When I hear it, help me to have the courage to follow
you. I pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
[Phillip Blackburn, First Presbyterian Church] |
