They Left Everything

Scripture:

Mark 1:16   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. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” ¹⁸ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Observation:

Belief in Jesus requires a response that results in action. As Jesus calls people to repentance and belief, so we see him calling his first disciples. Through his divine authority, Jesus is calling these men to be his disciples. This is with the same authority that God called the prophets of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the prophets saw God as the fisher of men, and so now, Jesus continues what God had done. In this opening chapter the invitation comes to these disciples, or prophets of a new generation. There is an anticipation that this master-disciple relationship will be permanent, lasting a lifetime and beyond. John Wesley put it this way, “Straightway leaving their nets, they followed him?—From this time they forsook their employ, and constantly attended him. Happy they who follow Christ at the first call!” The result is that everything else in life pales in comparison to the significance of the call of Christ upon their lives. 

What we witness is radical obedience on the part of those being called. They immediately left everything and followed Jesus. The call to discipleship was to be all-encompassing, and it included becoming men who would fish for people. This is because Jesus’ arrival and preaching now led to a new kingdom in which there would be final judgement. Therefore fishing (or evangelism) has become a necessary element and becomes evidence of the fulfillment of the kingdom about which Jesus is preaching. By joining Christ in fishing for people, the disciples identify themselves entirely with the mission of Jesus, their master and teacher. 

Application:

The call of Jesus to follow him is not any easy journey. Discipleship is costly. Jesus called people to take up their cross and to follow him and to live in complete submission to the authority of the kingdom of God. 

I’m afraid that far too often we are looking for some kind of easy discipleship. It’s certainly not comfortable to be called to a life that may not be in harmony with the values of the world around us, but that’s exactly what Jesus does. The vocation may be different for each individual, but the call to radical belief in Jesus as the Messiah is the same. 

The disciple never becomes the master, but remains a disciple now, and for all eternity. Any time we shift into the role of the Master, we will be out of sync in our kingdom life. 

If I’m serious about my walk with Jesus Christ then I have to allow the light of his good news to shine into the dark corners of my life, revealing anything that may stand between me and my total submission and obedience in kingdom life. The disciples left everything to follow Jesus. We must be willing to live with self-denial, putting aside anything that Jesus asks us to, so that we may be disciples. 

Prayer:

Lord, examine my heart today and help me to put aside anything that may stand in the way of your kingdom. May I join with you in your fishing mission. Amen.