Skip to main content

Mark 1:16-20 - Jesus calls His first disciples

This passage depicts Jesus's calling of His first disciples - Simon, Andrew, James and John.

A few things here

1. Jesus's statement - Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men
What does he mean?
We know that work is God-ordained - being a fisherman is not idling, and is a way of fulfilling God's command. However, these fishermen fished for... well, fish. They sold / cooked / whatever! the fish for a living, without any greater purpose to it.
Jesus offers them new purpose - to be fishers for God - to catch up men in repentance and belief in the gospel. A far greater ambition in life, no doubt, albeit by a unknown weirdo. More on this "unknown weirdo" later!
Simon and Andrew were of course lured to Jesus, and they became His first disciples

2. The calling of James and John, sons of Zebedee.
We notice that they had hired servants, their father and a boat - it would probably be safe to say they were quite well off. However, these two men left their father in the boat with the hired servants and followed Jesus.
Now, what really, makes Jesus more precious than these riches in life? Why would these two men leave behind family and possessions to follow this unknown weirdo so easily?
There can only be one reason for it - that the Son of God has authority over all things on earth - that His call is one we cannot refuse.

I've once seen this question posed: Jesus Christ - LORD, Liar or Lunatic?
Let's look at what he's doing then.
For a person to claim to be God, to tell people He'll make them fishers of men - he claims a lot. Such a person, will either know what he is up to, or simply be a crazy guy. Well, obviously James and John didn't give up everything they had to follow a lunatic, right? Has anyone ever followed a lunatic?
If he is sane, then he is either telling the truth - making him LORD, or he is lying - making him a liar.
Now of course there are great liars in history that people have followed - corrupt governments, Hitler... You name it. So what makes Jesus LORD, and not a liar?
I'll answer it soon enough, because the answers are all in Mark.

What is our ambition in life? Are we working to live, or living the Work? What is work to us?
Are we prepared to give up all we have for the irresistable call of Jesus Christ?

 I do struggle very hard with these two questions. Daily evangelism as a lifestyle seems difficult. How do we work evangelism into a workplace that is the very antithesis of Christian lifestyle? Then again I'm out of this place in ten days, so hopefully it's a fresh start and a better environment...
On the other question, giving up everything is really a difficult choice to make, having lived in relative comfort for all my life. The fact that I can sit here and type these words already proves that. If to follow Christ was to give up everything I had.. Perhaps it would be a very difficult choice... One that I hope I will be able to make, yet at the same time hope I do not have to. I guess we won't know till it comes, right?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Luke 22:35-53 - Jesus arrested

Luke 22:35-53 [35] And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” [36] He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. [37] For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” [38] And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” (ESV) [39] And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. [40] And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” [41] And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, [42] saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” [43] And there appeared t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mark 9:2-13 - The transfiguration

This passage tells of Peter, James and John following Jesus to a high mountain alone. Again, it is only the "inner circle" of the disciples who get to witness this event. As Jesus prayed, His appearance was changed to one radiant and intensely white - an allusion to His holiness. Moses and Elijah also appeared and talked to Jesus about His coming death. Why Moses and Elijah? (note: speculation here) Moses is the giver of Old Testamental law and is instrumental in Christ's fulfillment of the OT Law, and His replacing of it. Elijah is the symbol of faith of the OT - never going against God but suffering many things for His sake, and at the end being taken up to heaven without actually dying. They talk to Jesus, and Peter suggests that they make 3 dwellings for them to stay. However, that is clearly not God's intention, and God speaks clearly to them, telling them Jesus is His beloved Son, and to listen to Him. At this point, Moses and Elijah disappear. Jes...
Post a Comment
Read more

Psalm 39 - The measure of my days

Psalm 39 -  The measure of my days Introduction Psalm 39 is written as a lament Psalm by David. David starts off the Psalm with a declaration of his commitment to stay silent in the face of the wicked. Possibly a reason for this is because he does not want to have any interaction with them, or perhaps they are twisting his words too much. However, in his silence, he says his plight gets worse. The next part is the kind of "emo" sounding part, where he asks God to let him know how long his days are and how he will die - in the hope that he will leave this world behind for a better place. He finally ends off with praise to God for His holiness and deliverance. How applicable is this today? Where God's holiness has not changed, how we relate to the wicked definitely has. Because of the coming of Jesus Christ, we wicked people have a chance to accept God's love and grace. As Jesus said, it is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. No longer do we distin...
Post a Comment
Read more