“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the seas – for they were fisherman. And Jesus said the Simon and his brother Andrew, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” [Mark 1:16-18]
Think about the reality of this text. There are two men working their daily job. A job that puts food on the table and a roof over their heads. Then some random guy that you had never seen before walks by and says, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Is this a new line of work that will provide for their needs? I mean, who would you drop everything in an instant? What I appreciate about our sacred texts is that much is left out of the text and to our imaginations. What else occurred in this encounter? Was there a searing of their hearts with a truth that was undeniable? Was there a sharing of Jesus’ credentials – from the lineage of David, the story of the shepherds and the kings who visited his mom and dad after his birth, and more? What really transpired to cause Simon and Andrew to immediately drop everything and leave? We will never really know but the author of this Gospel, wanted us to know that these brothers made a radical and immediate decision to follow Jesus. What about you? Who is this Jesus you are willing to follow?
Prayer
Holy God, you certainly work in mysterious ways. I can’t even imagine doing what Simon and Andrew did. But I ask that you help me to follow you more nearly with each passing day. Give me the courage to walk with Christ along this road called life so that others might come to know you. Amen.
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