Disciples of Jesus are called to leave everything behind, if need be, and to dedicate their entire lives to his mission of proclaiming the Gospel throughout the Earth. Though the story as recorded in the synoptic gospels is brief, we begin to glimpse the true cost of discipleship. Jesus began building his new community in “Galilee of the Nations” by inviting four fishermen to leave their livelihoods and follow him “on the way” which would lead to his death in Jerusalem.
Simon, Andrew, James, and John were not
poor by first-century standards. Their families owned boats and nets, and there
is even mention of “hired help.” Fishing was an essential business that
occupied entire clans and towns, and investments in nets and boats could be substantial
- (Mark 1:16-20).
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| [Photo by Xavier Smet on Unsplash] |
The fishing trade was important to the economic life of Galilee, and ancient records show that fish from the Sea of Galilee were exported to cities as far away as Antioch in Syria and Alexandria in Egypt – (Parallel passages - Matthew 4:18-22, Luke 5:1-11).
Simon and Andrew had some level of
education, and very likely, they spoke one or more languages in addition to Aramaic,
including Greek, the language of commerce in the eastern Mediterranean region. For
that matter, “Andrew” is a Greek name.
The Gospel of Mark describes the reaction
of Simon and Andrew to the invitation of Jesus with the vivid term “straightway”
or “immediately.” They responded by leaving their occupations and family
assets. Likewise, when called, James and John “straightway” left their
father in the boat with the “hired men.” All this suggests a hasty departure
by the new disciples with little hesitation and no preparation.
DISCIPLESHIP
The Greek noun translated as “disciple”
originally referred to one who was a “learner,” that is, a student. It is
derived from the Greek verb ‘manthanô’, meaning, “to learn.”
By following him, Jesus would make his new disciples “fishers of men” who would proclaim the Good News far and wide, bringing many men into his Kingdom. With the Kingdom rapidly approaching, the task of preaching the Gospel was of the utmost importance.
Discipleship means service to the Kingdom
of God, and at times it may be necessary to forsake everything of value to the
disciple in this life. Nevertheless, there will be great rewards for forsaking
all to follow Jesus, if not in this life, then certainly in the “age to come.”
This is a way of evaluating life that is contrary to how the existing world
order works:
- “He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. He that finds his life will lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake will find it” – (Matthew 10:37-39, 19:29).
- “Moreover, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse that I may gain Christ” - (Philippians 3:7-8).
In the more detailed account in the Gospel
of Luke, the multitude that was present “pressed upon Jesus and heard
the word of God while he was standing by the Lake.” At that point, he
entered Simon’s boat and “sat down and taught the multitudes” along the
shoreline - (Luke 5:1-11).
Afterward, Jesus commanded Simon to leave the
shore and lower his nets. He and his compatriots had toiled all night with
little to show. Upon obeying Jesus, “they enclosed a great multitude of
fishes.” So much so, that their nets were at the point of bursting.
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| [Photo by Cdoncel on Unsplash] |
When Simon saw this, he prostrated himself before Jesus and begged him to depart “since I am a sinful man!” Simon, James, and John were amazed and confused, but he told them, “Fear not. From now on, you will catch men.” It was at this point that the four men left all and began to follow him.
This first instance of calling disciples became
the pattern for the Nazarene’s ministry. The “Kingdom of God” was at
hand, already it was invading this fallen world. Therefore, it was the time for
immediate and decisive action in response to the summons of the Messiah of
Israel.
SEE ALSO:
- Servant or Caesar? - (Satan offered Jesus unlimited political power to achieve his messianic mission if only he acknowledged the Devil as his overlord)
- The Kingdom Herald - (After his baptism, the Spirit drove Jesus to the wilderness to be tested by the Devil. But he overcame and succeeded where Israel failed)