Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 80
Jesus Calling
Scripture Mark 1: 14-20 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 16 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. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Crumbs Was it kindness , wisdom or both that kept Jesus opening His ministry until John the Baptist was removed from the scene. The prophetic focus remained intact. The call remained the same, repent and believe. In John 1:35 we discover there was a clear link between John the Baptist and Jesus . John’s teaching had prepared them for the coming of the King and John had already pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world .
The call of Jesus consists of two elements, a relational one and a task ..It was a deep mentoring role Jesus is now calling the men in this passage into such a relationship. Each of us receive our own call from Him too.
In calling them to the task ahead He uses fishing as a metaphor. It was painstaking work; hours of waiting, repeated throwing of a small circular net to they hope the fish are. Such is today’s evangelism ; based on personal relationship and teaching over the months.
The men He chose were remarkable. It is traditional to refer to them as illiterate fishermen. The writers of six or seven books of the New Testament do not show signs of illiteracy. They would have been taught the Torah . There are many examples of working men who were literate. I learn the doctrine of Grace from a milkman and my thoughts on the church were formed by a man who mended shoes
Questions . What part should repentance play in our lives ? 2. What does becoming Jesus’ student involved today? 3. How should we fish for people ?
