Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mar 1:16-20)
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (Mar 2:14)
We have read often, the calling of Peter and Andrew, James and John of Zebedee, and Levi of Alphaeus; it does not always strike us that their calling is remarkable; that the Master would simply call them, and that they in turn would respond immediately. Peter and Andrew were casting their nets, James and John, mending their nets, and Levi sitting at his tax collector’s desk. The first would leave their trade, the second their father and the third his lucrative position with the State. They left all immediately and followed Him. Their decision to immediately follow is not quite the representative of a mature, logical, well-deliberated response by any stretch of the imagination. It is a wonder, to imagine what had caused each to leave all to heed the Master’s call.
When we survey the gospels, there are many who followed Him. There were those who would miraculously feed, others who would seek healing of sundry ailments. Some would follow for the sake of debate, discourse and the opportunity to prove the Master; a close association and to await the providential window when one is able to valiantly dispute or rebuke the latest Guru in town does alleviate one’s status as a knowledgeable teacher and marks one out as the able defender of the faith, does it not? The Jews were always keen on signs and wonders and to be on-hand and be an eye-witness participant in the crowds was indeed no small honor. Imagine the tales one can spell and spin for generations! Thousands laid down palm leaves and sang praises and hosannas at His entrance into Jerusalem in the tradition of kings. Just days later, they would prefer Him crucified on a Roman cross. Earlier, many had stopped and turned from following Him, when His requirements seemed offensive; the requirement of having to leave all, take up a cross, partake of His Body and following Him.
There were also a few who would want to follow, but was refused and discouraged. He did say that His yoke is easy and that there is rest for the weary and heavy-laden, but there is no denying the existence of a yoke. Yokes are associated more with slaves and beasts of burden than a free man. He also said that foxes have holes and birds have their nest, but the Son of Man has no-where to lay His head ; how does one who is weary and needing rest do without a place to lay one’s head? One is always struck by the irony in the Lord’s words and deeds.
We are all familiar with the call to follow Him. But what exactly does it mean to us individually? We follow, but as identified with which in the crowd? Those wanting to be fed with blessing and more blessing? Those wanting healing? Those possessed of knowledge and doctrine? Those seeking signs and wonders? Those willing to follow the Messiah King, but not up the Calvary road ? Whatever the determination, I would venture to suggest that the crunch will come down to this; are we following Him still? It is not always, that we would follow Him closely. Many a time we would follow but from afar. Regrettably some would suffer distraction and wander off, get lost or break their legs falling into a ditch or suffer the ravages of wild beasts. Rendered incapable and broken these are resigned to await rescue. Thankfully it is not about our faithfulness in following. There is room for everyone still. His sheep hears His voice and follow Him; else the Shepherd will come to look for His own.
When we survey the gospels, there are many who followed Him. There were those who would miraculously feed, others who would seek healing of sundry ailments. Some would follow for the sake of debate, discourse and the opportunity to prove the Master; a close association and to await the providential window when one is able to valiantly dispute or rebuke the latest Guru in town does alleviate one’s status as a knowledgeable teacher and marks one out as the able defender of the faith, does it not? The Jews were always keen on signs and wonders and to be on-hand and be an eye-witness participant in the crowds was indeed no small honor. Imagine the tales one can spell and spin for generations! Thousands laid down palm leaves and sang praises and hosannas at His entrance into Jerusalem in the tradition of kings. Just days later, they would prefer Him crucified on a Roman cross. Earlier, many had stopped and turned from following Him, when His requirements seemed offensive; the requirement of having to leave all, take up a cross, partake of His Body and following Him.
There were also a few who would want to follow, but was refused and discouraged. He did say that His yoke is easy and that there is rest for the weary and heavy-laden, but there is no denying the existence of a yoke. Yokes are associated more with slaves and beasts of burden than a free man. He also said that foxes have holes and birds have their nest, but the Son of Man has no-where to lay His head ; how does one who is weary and needing rest do without a place to lay one’s head? One is always struck by the irony in the Lord’s words and deeds.
We are all familiar with the call to follow Him. But what exactly does it mean to us individually? We follow, but as identified with which in the crowd? Those wanting to be fed with blessing and more blessing? Those wanting healing? Those possessed of knowledge and doctrine? Those seeking signs and wonders? Those willing to follow the Messiah King, but not up the Calvary road ? Whatever the determination, I would venture to suggest that the crunch will come down to this; are we following Him still? It is not always, that we would follow Him closely. Many a time we would follow but from afar. Regrettably some would suffer distraction and wander off, get lost or break their legs falling into a ditch or suffer the ravages of wild beasts. Rendered incapable and broken these are resigned to await rescue. Thankfully it is not about our faithfulness in following. There is room for everyone still. His sheep hears His voice and follow Him; else the Shepherd will come to look for His own.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psa 23:3-4)
God bless.
/ckh
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