Career changes are challenging, frightening, and exciting. It is all those things, even after acquiring the knowledge and abilities needed beforehand. Now, imagine what a career change would feel like if it was unexpected and unplanned. That’s the boat four men were in.
Continuing our study of Mark. “As he (Jesus) passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” (Mark 1:16–20, CSB)
We learn from Luke 5:1-11 that there is more to the story than Mark recounts. However, the major points remain. Jesus called the four men to “Follow me.” He gave them a new purpose, a new career of becoming fishers of people. And the four men said yes to Jesus and left jobs, investments, purpose, and family to follow Jesus.
With Jesus, there is always (and I don’t mean that hyperbolically) a point of decision. Actually, more than one of them. The primary decision is to follow Jesus and accept Him as our Savior and Lord. But following that wonderful beginning to a new life are the many times of saying yes to Jesus that follow. That is, after all, what it means to be a disciple.
As we read more about these four men in the Gospels and Acts we see their growth as they learned to say yes to Jesus. Along the way, they failed, grew, proclaimed, denied and ran away, repented, preached, grew disciples, spread the word, failed some more, and ultimately suffered for their faith. Saying yes to Jesus doesn’t mean that everything is sunshine and roses. Discipleship is a marathon.
Saying yes to Jesus today may not mean immediately leaving your job. But it does mean living a new life with a new purpose. God uses us where we are but calls us to a new mission. Sometimes, that does mean physically leaving everything behind and going to a new country, city or people. Often, that means staying where we are and being a disciple surrounded by folks who know us. The point is to say yes to Jesus at every step.
I doubt that Andrews, Simon, James, and John knew what awaited them when they left their boats. Jesus didn’t give them the whole plan first and then ask for their decision. He said, “Follow me.” And that is what they did. Jesus is calling you to follow today, what will your decision be?
- Mark: Say Yes - April 9, 2025
- Mark: Baptism, Temptation, and Ministry - April 7, 2025
- Mark: Prepare the Way - April 2, 2025
