The day was beautiful. The lake calm. Sun high. Seagulls talking. There was a small breeze but not that bad. Fishing? Good. If you could capture it in words, this day was picture perfect. What more could a group of fisherman want?
Possibly this is how Simon, Andrew, James, and John would have described the day their entire lives changed. Simon and Andrew waded in the water fishing with throw nets. James and John floated in a boat with their dad and hired workers. What took place next changed history.
Follow Me
As these four professional fisherman were busy doing their jobs, Jesus came walking down the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. He first talked with Simon and Andrew, then he turned his attention to James and John. Mark tells the story this way:
16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. (Mark 1:16-20)
They followed.
These four became Jesus’ first four followers or disciples. What is worth noting are the similarities in how they followed Jesus.
- They all four immediately left what they were doing to follow Jesus.
- They all four gave up their vocations to follow Jesus as a disciple.
- They all four chose; Jesus did not force them to follow Him.
What about you?
Today, throughout your day, you have the choice to also follow Jesus. How will you respond to the call, “Follow me”?
KevinCarson.com | Walking together through life as friends in Christ sharing wisdom along the journey
