Jesus Calling

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Has Jesus Called You?

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20 (ESV)

16 [Jesus] Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Devotion:

          In this scripture, Jesus sees two sets of brothers. These brothers are plying their trade of fishing. He calls them to follow him. Jesus doesn’t promise them fame, fortune, or other material rewards if they follow him. In fact, these brothers will receive nothing but being unknown, poverty, and no material reward at all for their efforts to follow Jesus. Trading their lives as fishermen for the life of being fishers of men indeed brings them much grief, heartache, and pain.

          So how and why did they persist for almost three years following this itinerant teacher? What was it about Jesus that attracted them and bound their lives to his regardless of the personal cost? First of all, we should note that not all the disciples made through to the resurrection and Pentecost. At a few different times some of Jesus some who were following Jesus left him. Indeed, on the night of his arrest and trial only two (Peter and John) followed him to his mock trial at the high priest’s house. Peter of course famously denied even knowing Jesus at all three times. Judas, of course, betrayed him and committed suicide rather than face what he had done.

          This business of being called by Jesus is dangerous stuff. And Jesus is still calling people today. If you accept the title Christian that means that you have been called by Jesus to live your life for him. We in America take this matter rather casually. Up until this point in time claiming the name of Christ has been rather painless for us. While we realize that in other parts of the world like China and Iran for example being known as a Christian can cost you your freedom or even your very life.

          How do we respond to the call of Jesus on our lives in this world that is so filled with corruption and violence? We must take up our cross and follow Jesus. There is no other way for us to live. We may have to put up with harassment and strife if we claim the name of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We can do this because we know that in the end Jesus will deliver us from evil. Jesus will ready us to live a life of victory with him. So, shall we be fishers of men? Let us hope that Jesus finds us faithful in that task as we live each day for him.

 

Prayer:

          Holy Lord, prepare our hearts to follow you through whatever trials may come our way. Help us to drop what we are doing when we sense your call to follow you in some new way or in some greater depth. Lead us on the narrow path that leads to our eternal home with you. Praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May we always be found praising God. Amen

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