Reflections
January 21, 2012, 10:52pm
MARK 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the
gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is
at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
As He passed by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and His brother
Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said
to them, “Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then
they abandoned their nets and followed Him. He walked along a little
farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They
too were in a boat mending their nets. Then He called them. So they
left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and
followed Him.
Reflection:
He called them. Jesus begins His public ministry with a call. First,
it is a call to repent and believe in the gospel. With this call to
conversion and change of heart, Jesus wants people to turn to God,
align their ways to God’s will, and surrender their lives to God.
Second, it is a call to follow Him, to be fishers of men, to be part of
His ministry, to be His apostles.
Jesus calls four men to be His first disciples – Simon and his
brother Andrew, James and his brother John. No words are spoken by way
of their response. But their actions speak for the men: They leave
everything – nets, boats, and families – to follow Jesus.
The first disciples are not men of great theological education, with
wide social influence, or with impressive social background. And yet
Jesus chooses them to be and work with Him. The work of Jesus is not in
the hands of men and women whom the world considers great and famous,
but in the hands of ordinary people like us who are willing to give God
our life, our time, and our talents.
What are we willing to let go so we can be sure that we have Jesus in our lives?
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