“‘Come, follow me,” Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:17-18).

As Jesus began his work, the Rabbi summoned students. A “disciple” was someone who learned at the foot of a master and then imitated him. 

A lot has been said about these short verses. Many of us have read books, heard sermons, or listened to podcasts about the significance of calling fishermen to follow him.

Or perhaps we’ve been struck by how captivating Jesus must have been. Otherwise, why would they drop everything and follow him “at once”?

But there’s another detail which is easy to miss. And it is instructive for all of us even today.

Jesus invites his disciples to “fish for people.”  Let’s not get sidetracked about the idea of getting “caught” or “hooked.” That’s not the point. The point is that Jesus’ ministry is a ministry for others. He loves people. He wants them to be saved from the kingdom of darkness and to be a part of the amazing kingdom of God.

Further, he wants the disciples to be active participants in this work. Professor Larry Hurtado explains: “they are called to enter into his mission and not to be observers.”*

That’s a message for each and every one of us today.

When Jesus invites normal people like you and me to follow him, he is inviting us to enter into his mission and not to be observers.

Not everyone will drop their nets and walk in his literal footsteps. But we will re-organize our priorities, put him at the centre of our lives, learn from him, try to imitate him (with the Spirit’s help), and further his grace and truth in our relationships, classrooms, workplaces, homes and souls.

Watching and following are different things. Which one are you doing?

“‘Come, follow me,” Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”

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Notes:

#fishersofmen #followme #discipleship #calling #christianity #ministry #servingChrist #faith #bible #discipleship #devotional #dailydevotional

–*Larry W. Hurtado, Mark (Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 1989), 22.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.