Casting Nets

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

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark1:14-28

I often wonder whether, if interrupted doing my job, or fishing by the ocean, I would respond and leave everything. Would I follow Jesus? I love having my feet deep in the sand or slipping on the rocks, watching the light dance on the water. I love standing or sitting among church folks, helping them to find new directions for their community, new ways to walk with God. Would I get up and leave?

Jesus is walking along the sea and calls first, Simon and Andrew, and then, James and John. They become his first disciples. They suddenly leave everything and follow him. Their lives change in a moment and they don't look back. Sometimes, things change in a moment. God invites us to drop the nets at that moment and follow Jesus. Sometimes, when nothing makes sense, when everything has changed, we need to drop the old and follow.

Today, I ask God to help me take the turns in life as a new invitation to follow Jesus. May we be willing to drop the nets and follow Jesus so the world can know the love of God so desparately needed.