Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

— 14 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.’ — 16 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.

Mark’s succinct and direct prose does not delve into the motivations behind why the first disciples left their nets to follow Jesus. Perhaps they had heard John the Baptist’s preaching about Jesus; or perhaps they were present at Jesus’ baptism and had witnessed the extraordinary events that happened; or perhaps they heard Jesus himself announcing with authority that the “kingdom of God has come near.” What we do know is that the disciples often seemed to misunderstand what was going on. They heard the words “kingdom of God,” but did not fully understand what this meant.
But Jesus did not call them to understand everything – he called them to the next step, to follow, and this step came with the promise of transformation. I find the ease with which the disciples left everything to follow Jesus very challenging. What nets do I cling to? Status? Being liked? Security? I don’t feel as brave as the disciples. But I do know that we are never ready to step out. Instead, as we step out, we become ready.

I know that it is only in leaving my nets and joining myself to the kingdom that is near in Christ that I will grow. And I can only do this because the one who calls me is far more compelling and beautiful than the nets of security. I don’t need to know where we are going, just who I am going with. Following Jesus is both unsettling and liberating.