Gone fishing!
PRAY: Humbly ask God to give you wisdom to understand this portion of the Bible and the faith to live out what He reveals to you.
READ: Mark 1:14-20
What was it about Jesus that made people drop everything and start following Him? At first glance, he wasn’t the Hollywood glamour God of his time, nor did he exude suave characteristics that would influence the masses to idolize him. Conversely, Jesus was simply a fisherman and also “truth” personified.
In the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, passages 14-20, Jesus walks up to some complete strangers and gives them an inspiring purpose for their lives. Deep down, isn’t that what we all desire? His cousin John (the Baptist) had just been arrested, and Jesus had come to Galilee proclaiming, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
It is here that Jesus begins his three year public ministry. Jesus is about to change the world, but it all started with calling a few average, Jewish fishermen to experience the greatest fishing trip of their lives.
Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John, some of whom were already disciples of John the Baptist. He finds them out fishing in the Sea of Galilee, and calls out to them, “Follow Me”, and promises to make them fishers of men. Jesus calls his disciples in order that they may call others to Himself. So, “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” Notice how promptly they responded to Jesus’ call on their lives: immediately.
Sounds great, right? Or does it all seem a little crazy? For me, the same questions seem to come up every time I read this. Why on earth would these guys leave everything they had in order to go and follow a man whom they had never met? Crazy right?! What would it take for you to quit your job, stop pursuing your career or life goals and take on the goals of a strange man, saying strange things about fishing? All Jesus had to say to them was, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they each obeyed.
The manner of faith and radical willingness exhibited by Simon, Andrew, James, and John is a faith that few people exhibit in this world today. But they had each other, which I am sure helped because sometimes we’ll do bold things with others that we wouldn’t do alone. The great adventure of following Jesus into the world and reaching our lost friends with the Gospel is too hard to do alone. Most people go on fishing trips with friends right? Great adventures are most enjoyable alongside other people committed to the same mission.
Who is walking beside you on your mission today? Do you have a fishing buddy?
Through reading this passage, I always ask myself if I too would have the faith to step out and follow a man whom I had never met. Would you? Are you?
Reflection Questions:
- What is something God is calling you to “drop” so you can follow Him wholeheartedly
- What is one specific way you can step out in faith this week?
- Who are you “fishing” for and who is fishing alongside you?
Memorize: Mark 1:17
This week's devotional is written by Cam Truex. Cam is an FSU student and City Group Leader. He also serves as an assistant to the discipleship pastor.