“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:17-18).

Jesus’ first followers had different professions. Some were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. Jesus himself was called a carpenter, having apprenticed under Joseph. 

Clearly, these were working-class people. But there’s more.

At that time there was some literature which stated it was virtually impossible for the people in certain professions to stay ritually clean from a religious perspective. Two occupations which were specifically mentioned were fishermen and carpenters. Why? Because fishermen had to continually handle both clean and unclean types of fish, and carpenters sometimes doubled as undertakers, meaning they had contact with dead bodies. 

What is the significance of this?

Alister McGrath suggests the following answer: Jesus specifically invited people to be a part of his work who were, at least in the eyes of some, questionable.*

Since we like to be respectful we sometimes call those first disciples “Saint Peter” or “Saint Matthew.” That’s fine. But in so doing we can forget that they were, in many ways, normal people who were engaged in the usual sweat, gunk and grime of day-to-day-living. 

Just like you.

Your house sometimes smells like dirty diapers. That doesn’t disqualify you.
Your vehicle is missing a bumper. That doesn’t disqualify you.
You sinned in secret and think that others can see your shame. That doesn’t disqualify you.

I like how Christopher Ash puts it: “God is under no illusions about who he is getting on his team.”**

If you are in Christ, he chose you. Now go to work for the kingdom, even as you soar through the sweat, gunk and grime of day-to-day living. 

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Notes:
–*Alister E. McGrath, Mere Apologetics (Baker Books, 2012), 42.
–** Christopher Ash, Zeal Without Burnout (TheGoodBook Company, 2016), 41.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.