The Calling of the First Disciples

Genesis 37:12-24
1 Corinthians 1:20-31
February 23, 2010

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” 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 make you fishers of men.” 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. They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. - Mark 1:14-28

I AM SO BUSY !!!!
Have you ever asked someone how they are doing and gotten that response? My first thought is, “what are you busy with?”

Are you busy with ;
- long days at work,
- a house full of children?
- Taking care of a family member that is ill?
- Volunteer hours in the community?
- A serious hobby?
- The list goes on.
What do you think Simon and Andrew thought when Jesus walked up and said “come follow Me” ?

What I mean is, they had just thrown their nets out into the water! Or, as we might think of it ;
- they had just filled the planter and pulled out into the field
- they had just put the car up on the rack for an overhaul
- they had just put their patient into the chair
- they had just gotten a load of lumber delivered to start building
- they had just walked into the office and turned on their computer

THEY WERE BUSY!

And what was their response? Did they check their calendar to see what they had coming up, or did they make some calls to see if they could get a couple part-time net pullers to come in for them? No. Mark tells us that when Jesus commanded them to follow Him, they AT ONCE left their nets and followed Him.

Were they suckers for volunteering for one more thing to take up their time? I don’t think so. I think that they recognized Jesus as the Savior of the world and were excited and eager to participate in God’s plan of salvation. The disciples knew that fishing for men was more important than fishing for fish.

God called them and used them in a new and different way. They still got out to fish once in a while, but their whole purpose was now to serve their Lord and Savior and answer His call. They gave their lives to Him and all that they did was for the purpose of serving God and bringing people to Him. God wants us to be busy – busy for Him.

Stan Stoppenhagen

O Lord God Almighty, because You have always supplied Your servants with the several gifts which come from Your Holy Spirit alone, leave also us not destitute of Your manifold gifts nor of grace to use them always to Your honor and glory and the good of others; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[1]

[1] Collect for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany Lutheran Book of Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis