all eyes on jesus | worth following

We're continuing in Mark's gospel asking the Holy Spirit to help us see Jesus through the eyes of those around him during his ministry years. 

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. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:16-20, NIV

In this story we witness two profound moments as Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, James and John to become his disciples.

Simon and Andrew are fishermen casting their nets when Jesus approaches them with a simple yet powerful invitation: "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." Without hesitation, they leave their nets and follow Jesus. The narrative then repeats with James and John, who similarly leave their father and their fishing boat to follow the Lord. Somehow Simon, Andrew, James, and John recognise something extraordinary in Jesus. Something beyond the carpenter from Nazareth. Something worth following.

In the coming days they will see him in action as he teaches and performs miracle. they will know him as a compassionate man who heals the broken, shares wisdom that confounds the wise, and shows love to individuals and crowds regardless of who they are and what they want from him.

But on the day of their calling they haven’t seen any of that. They simply experience the pull of Jesus' presence. A presence so compelling it draws them from their past and into a future defined by discipleship.

The experience of the four highlights the consequences of encountering Jesus and points to the likelihood it won’t just change our jobs or everyday activities but will impact our entire lives as we embark on the journey he wants to take us on. The passage challenges us to reflect on our own encounters with Jesus. Have we recognized the divine call in his words? Have we been willing to leave behind the familiar and embrace the transformative power of following him? Jesus continues to call each of us, inviting us into a deeper relationship with him. What is his call to you today?

Let's pray
Lord help me to respond like Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Fill me with faith and help me be ready to leave behind the familiar and do what you ask me to do. Thank you that as I do that I will open my life to the transformative power of you, the living Christ. Thank you for calling me to a life of purpose and meaning in your kingdom. Amen