Sunday 8 October, 2017

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee. He preached the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Turn away from your sins and believe the good news!” 16 One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen. 17 “Come and follow me,” Jesus said. “I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 Then Jesus walked a little farther. As he did, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat preparing their nets. 20 Right away he called out to them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men. Then they followed Jesus.

In this passage, we have the end of John’s ministry and the beginning of Jesus ministry.

Jesus starts and calls disciples to follow him and learn a new way of living.

But Jesus didn’t say that he would teach them a new way of living, but rather he would show them a new way. And that is important, because all that Jesus asks us to do is to copy him. And as you read the gospels we see how Jesus did this.

For the 12 men that Jesus called first, their response was a full and immediate commitment to follow Jesus.

And Jesus asks us nothing less.

He might ask you to leave your current career, he might not. But he does call all of us to copy him, what he did and what he said. If we do this, then we will be fishers of people.

The first disciples obeyed the call immediately and wholeheartedly. They committed themselves to following Jesus and learning his ways. And I am challenged to review and renew my commitment and obedience to Jesus call.

Thank you Jesus for loving me and calling me to follow your way of living.

Written by Andrew Martin