Mark 1:16-18 "As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
There are three things I notice about Jesus call upon our lives based on the episode in Mark chapter 1, The call, the job description and the response.
Jesus calls us where we are
Jesus life was strategic, as we walked along the perimeters of the sea, His mission was to go into Jerusalem, be crucified, die and be raised from the dead. In accomplishing his mission, He called certain men to be with Him, to accompany Him, to learn from Him and also to be His messengers. As Jesus called the first disciples, He went and found men where they were, doing what they do, to accomplish extraordinary things. He did not train them, but their following Him would be there training. He was not looking for experience, but willingness. Real people in real places. This should make us think about how much He wants us to get in the game. We often think that there are more qualified and experienced people people elsewhere, who can get the job done. This certainly was not the pattern for Jesus. Do you know that Jesus wants to take you to the next level of your life from where you are right now? He wants to begin right now today, not when you are ready and prepared. He is looking for a few more disciples. They did not discuss pay, benefits or hours, they were looking for a boss, and they made a decision to put Jesus in charge of their careers. They knew that if Jesus was in charge, He would also take care of the pay, housing and retirement.
Jesus calls us to do what we do, but for Him.
Jesus first instruction was to follow, the second part was to do. He will not ask us to do anything that we do not want to do. He wants us to follow, and in the following we will "do". If you are not willing to follow, then you are not willing to do, so if you respond to His call, then you will be willing to do what He wants you to do. So follow Him, and let Him clarify what He wants you to do. Jesus did not change their job description, He changed their purpose. They were fisherman by trade, now they were to be fisherman by call. They fished for themselves, now they fished for Christ. They fished in the sea, now they will fish where Christ leads. They fished to eat, and now they eat in order to fish.
Jesus calls, and He expects us to move
I like when the story says: "At once they left their nets and followed him." There was no fear or hesitancy in their leaving the nets. I am sure there was a sense of peace, calm and excitement in their response to Jesus. They were drawn to Him in a way that was greater than their profession, they wanted to do the same thing they were doing in the sea but now for Him.
There are many times that I see men often confused about Church, family and life. I have sensed great fear and opposition to really getting involved in church, Bible study, prayer and family leadership. I am sure this is because they confused holding down a good job, feeding the family and getting the kids to school as job number one. While being responsible is commendable, it is a good start but not and end in itself. Working is no substitute for working for the Lord. Being a good parent is no substitute for parenting for the Lord. And punching the time clock is not substitute for punching the time clock for the Lord.
Develop a life's purpose defines our discipleship.
Does what we do define who we do it for? Does joy and pleasure come from what we do or who we do it for? If you hate your job, and your life would changing your job making you any happier? How long would an increase in pay go you make you happier? The reality is that once we understand for whom we do things for will we ever be able to enjoy our work. In other words, our work description does not change but who we are doing it for does!
Prayer:
Lord, help me to do for you what before I was unwilling to do because now I understand my lifes purpose. Help me to see that it is not my life I am enhancing but you will and pleasure that I am seeking to fulfill. This life is a fleeting moment before the time we meet face to face and my earthly labor will be no more. Help me to serve you until that day that you say "Well done, my good and faithful servant." In Jesus name, Amen.
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