Listen

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:14-18

Think

Did Simon and Andrew hear Jesus’ sermon? Or were they too busy with the day-to-day details of working as fishermen: tangled nets, changing weather, straining muscles? Ultimately, it’s not Jesus’ sermon that calls the brothers; it is his invitation. Jesus steps into their everyday lives with a simple summons: come, follow, and learn. No plans are outlined. Few details are offered. Simon and Andrew don’t shake their heads in disbelief at the seaside preacher. They don’t launch into a list of questions. They get up and follow.

We like to make our calling as disciples complicated. (Or maybe that’s just me.) We want a step-by-step plan. We want Jesus to put all the details on the table. But what if we remembered that our calling as disciples begins simply, with an invitation to be with Jesus, to learn from him? Questions and challenges wouldn’t disappear from our journey as disciples, but we might see them in new ways as we look through the lens of our core calling: come, follow, learn.

Jennie Barber

Question to Ponder:

Where is Jesus inviting you to follow him today? What is he inviting you to learn?

Pray

Herald of God’s reign,

Let your good news be the truth that centers me.

Reveal your holy presence in my everyday life.

Remind me of your invitation, and give me courage to accept it.

Amen.

Go

Listen with your whole self.

Listen with your ears as God’s voice comes through the unexpected.

Listen with your hands as you share and receive the Spirit’s gifts.

Listen with your heart as it beats to the rhythms of God’s love.

Listen with your feet as you walk with Jesus today.