It’s an interesting dynamic we see building in our verses today.  I pray I can do it justice.

Mark 1:16-20 CSB
[16] As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea  — for they were fishermen. [17] “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” [18] Immediately they left their nets and followed him. [19] Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. [20] Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

If we just read the story here all we will likely see is the calling of disciples.  There is so much more to this though.  Normally in that day a prospective rabbinical student would search out the best teacher and follow them.  All the while though their focus and loyalty would be to the law and its message.  Let’s look at Paul and how he summarizes his own original teachings.

Philippians 3:4-6 CSB
[4] although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; [6] regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.

Acts 22:3 CSB
[3] He continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.

Paul has been proud of his education. He was focused on the law and taught by one of the best. 

Are we different?

Do we still chase the best professors and commit ourselves to the lessons that they teach?

I know I did.  I’ve seen a better way though.  The Way.

John 14:6 CSB
[6] Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Look at the difference in our text from what I’ve just described.  Verse 17

“Follow Me”, Jesus told them “and I will make you fish for people.”

The teacher sought out the student not the student the teacher.  Hmm? 

But wait!  There’s more!

Jesus says “follow me”.  Where is he putting their focus?  On Him.  “I will make you fishers of people.” is secondary in context.  That’s different, isn’t it?

We aren’t called to the words of the message.  We are called to the Message which is Jesus Himself.  Jesus is the Gospel; the Good News.  We are called to Jesus.  We are called to Jesus.

WE ARE CALLED TO JESUS!

Learning the Word/word/words is a lifelong process.  Following and committing to Jesus is the calling.  You were made for that purpose.  I guarantee it.  Now some may think that a bold statement.  Maybe it is.  We can debate creationism at another time though.  Just remember the muscles in the human eye move over 100 times a second so that I can see what’s around me upside down and then my brain flips it over.  If you’re debating creationism, you’re telling me that just happened to work out for my benefit.  Hmm?

Anyway,  being called to Jesus makes things different.  Doesn’t it?  What are we to say?  How about the Word!

John 1:1-5 CSB
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of men. [5] That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

John 3:16-19 CSB
[16] For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. [19] This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.

1 Peter 1:16 CSB
[16] for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

It’s interesting to realize that God told us this was coming?

Jeremiah 16:16 CSB
[16] “I am about to send for many fishermen”  — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and they will fish for them. Then I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and out of the clefts of the rocks,

These verses go on to talk about judgement.  Foreshadowing?  I’ll leave that up to you.

Follow Jesus! Commit to Jesus!  Preach Jesus!  Fish for people!

Love in Christ,

Colby