Random Thoughts From The Gospel Of Mark Chapter1 part2

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.
Mark:1:16-20

Today we look at 4 individuals whose lives were never going to be the same after they responded to Jesus' call to follow Him. When they accepted the invitation they had no idea the incredible journey they were about to embark on.They would see and experience things they never would have imagined.

Let's think on a few thoughts:

1. THEY WEREN'T QUALIFIED
There is nothing from Scripture to indicate that somehow they were devout and holy and that was the reason chose them. No, as you read the Gospel accounts you see that they kept messing up even up to the night Jesus was arrested. Of all things, on that night they were concerned about who was the greatest among them. There is an old saying that says, Jesus doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. They were just ordinary flawed men, but Jesus never gave up on them.

2. THEY RESPONDED TO THE CALL
In both accounts we are told they immediately dropped what they were doing and began to follow Jesus. Most don't believe that this was their first encounter with Jesus. No, they had probably heard Him speak and seen Him before. But,when He gave the call they responded immediately.

Let's finish by thinking about our lives. Have you responded to His call? Feel you aren't qualified for a particular task that He is calling you to?

Jesus invites us to join Him. Can you think of anything greater than that? Someone has said that, "every person needs something that they can invest their lives into". Let me encourage you to invest your life into the kingdom of God. He calls some into full time ministry, He calls others to minister while they continue to work at their jobs. But, Jesus does call us into a relationship with Him like He did with these four.  He will qualify us, teach us, and  He won't give up on us just as He didn't give up on the disciples in spite of their mistakes.  May we respond to His call. As we do we will experience things we never imagined.

Troy