Mark 1:16-20 - Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Mark 1:16-20
16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Message: Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mark begins with the fulfillment of prophecy and John preparing the way of the Lord. John proclaimed repentance, forgiveness of sin, and baptism. Jesus would come though and baptize with the Holy Spirit. At Jesus' baptism is the union of Jesus, the Spirit, and the Father. Jesus is tempted for 40 days by Satan, but he is not alone; the Spirit ministers to him. Jesus message is the gospel of God - repent and believe. And now he introduces the next step - following Him with the purpose of becoming fishers of men.

Life to me is always about being together, about community, about fellowship. I think the world often thinks we need to be independent and is focused on protecting individual freedoms and rights. Here, Jesus is not setting out to minister on his own. He is calling disciples to come alongside. He knows he is not alone as the Spirit is ministering to him in the wilderness, the Father expressing to him at the baptism he is beloved -- it is clear that our faith is about being together.

Here, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting nets and John and James mending nets. To each pair he called them to come follow him. Thus far, Mark has been brief in his descriptions so I would guess this one is brief as well. It's hard to fathom that it was a simple request and response that occurred here. It makes a little more sense that there might have been some discussion. The outcome was the same, they left and followed. They left probably their business as fishermen, providing a staple food at this time, so what they did was in high demand. And it is hard to think they really understood what the future held. I tend to also think that the gospel message is something they had already heard because following is our response to repenting and believing in Jesus. And our desire to follow is stronger because we have repented and believed.

I think too often the message on earth is simply to believe. And what is lost is the bookend of that belief - to repent and then to follow. Mark shows that James and his brother John left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants. I don't know if the father was working or just there, if the father was older or younger and able to lead the charge still. What we do know is two brothers left to follow Jesus. Perhaps the father encouraged them. That is a possibility but what is key is that they followed.

At this point, I am also thinking about that Jesus is asking them to become fishers of men. Jesus will be preaching the gospel and many will follow, but disciples will be fishers of men. Some commentators think there are distinctive roles. Rather than being full-time laborers, like fishermen, these men are now going to follow Jesus and see what that is about. I imagine they are not really sure, but Jesus is someone they want to know more.

Promise: The disciple was necessary in Jesus' ministry life. He knew his time was short and he wanted men with him to learn from him so that they could pass on what he taught them.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this message. I must admit, I struggle a little now in understanding all of its ramifications and what it means, but that is fine. I am following you, like these disciples and I am waiting to discover all that you want to teach me through that process. As I follow you, help me to continue to preach the message of the gospel in my life, calling people to repentance and to believe. Give me your strength each day and remind me that my life is not just about me, but its about others and having life together.