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CALLED BY JESUS

Mark 1:14-20 (New Revised Standard)

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

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The Gospel scene described above locates the moment when Jesus launches his public life - after John had been arrested or handed over.

The four fishermen are called with no further instructions whatsoever. Jesus invited them to let go of everything that they knew so that they could step out onto a pathway that He would show them—a pathway that He does not define for them in advance—a pathway that they will not understand until they have walked it and then reflected back on their journey. These four were called to a totally uncertain future and would surely have been scared out of their wits had they known what lay in store for them.

Their invitation was, essentially, to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. “Follow me”: be with me, get to know me, enjoy my friendship. But also, share my mission. “I will make you fish for people”: you will teach and preach, heal and serve, as I do. What a responsibility! But also, what a privilege!

What does it mean for us to follow Jesus? This poem imagines us asking Him.


Following Jesus

Follow me, Follow me, Jesus says
I ask - what do you mean Jesus?
You aren't here physically
so how am I to follow you?
Oh my child - think back
on how I lived when I was
in the world physically
do you remember?
I followed my fathers will
I cared and forgave others
I prayed and loved my Father
There are many other things
which you are aware
I am asking you to do the same
Follow what I did
Don't be afraid, for I am with you
Go out each day with the wisdom
and courage to do my will
Then you will be my follower

-Cindy Tuttle


This is what discipleship involves—faith to step into the unknown, trusting Christ to lead us to the right destination. And anyone who wants to can be a disciple--spectacular gifts or education are not requirements for eligibility. What matters is availability and a willingness to follow where Jesus leads.

Jesus’ call is simple: “Follow me”. Though the ways of following Jesus are as varied as people themselves they always entail breaking free from what one was before. But remember, when you FOLLOW Jesus, you aren’t leading, He is. Trust Him to lead you where He wants you to be.

How has God lead you? Can you reflect back on the path you have been walking? Sometimes we can be surprised to see the direction we’ve gone, following Jesus. Maybe at the time, it didn’t feel like we were being led at all; we were just making choices. Look at those choices now, considering how God was holding your hand.

Listening to these two songs might deepen your meditation on this message.

I’ll Follow You (a contemporary song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqNuMYg5Orw

Will You Come and Follow Me (a more traditional song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liUlxlaCRT0