Calling the King’s Men. Mark 1:16-20.
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 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.
Dear Citizens of Heaven,
It is obvious that a king needs men to serve him and further his mission. Jesus embarks on this mission “immediately.”
Occupation (vv. 16, 19). Jesus did not go to the streets or taverns to find those who had nothing to do so that he could give them work. He found people who were busy with their occupation as fishermen and called them. The ministry is not an answer for the jobless. Those who join the ministry because they have nothing else to do or because it offers an opportunity for employment will be disappointed and they also will disappoint the Lord. God put Adam in the garden, not on a sofa. Those who busy themselves with their work are the likely candidates for service in the kingdom.
Offer (vv. 17, 20a).The two sets of brothers were engaged in productive work – fishing. Jesus offered them an equally productive, new calling. At this point, the men may not have understood what Jesus meant when he said he would make them “to become fishers of men. This would become plain much later when they would understand Jesus’ salvific mission. For now, they needed to understand that Jesus was calling them to something similar, yet different from their current occupation, but more importantly, that he would see to their training.
The phrase “to become” is deliberate. Over the next three and a half years, Jesus will endeavor to make evangelists out of these fishermen, teaching and showing them by life example, how to fish men.
Overhaul (vv. 18, 20b). Upon hearing the call of Jesus, the men left their business and followed him. It is possible that Simon and Andrew closed shop completely, while James and John left their father and hired hands to run the business. God’s call often requires a restructuring of life and relationships. Many have often wondered how a simple invitation from Jesus could have been so powerful as to cause men to take such drastic action.
Character. Jesus was not a stranger to these men. He had grown up with some. James and John, for instance, were his cousins (their mothers were sisters, compare Matthew 27:56; Mark 16:1; John 19:25). The power of Jesus’ uprightness, one who had “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52) and who was so upright that he could challenge publicly, “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46), “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus had the power of character.
Call. The call of God often has an inexplicable effect on those to whom it comes. Many have been accused of madness for abandoning their family, society, and workplace to listen to “voices in their heads.” It is true that some are “off the rocker,” so to speak, but we must recognize the fact that when God calls, his call is irresistible. Those left behind must find a way of filling the gap those called will leave in their wake.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.