Mark 1:16-20 (NIV 2011)

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Reflection:

The band U2 wrote the song “Walk On” in one of their acclaimed albums and the line, “All that you can’t leave behind” celebrates a certain “freedom” of thought. With an even greater literary force, the Bible displays this amazing turn for anyone who is called by Jesus. First Simon and his brother Andrew are called, and they leave all of their lives behind to follow Jesus. Then James and John do the same. Why the repetition? Perhaps to show that this was not a one-time fluke but rather a regular occurrence; this is the norm of God’s kingdom. Leaving it all behind to follow Christ is much more than just an intellectual ascent, but it’s a true, real life freedom.

Response:

Jesus continues to call us each day by name. “Come, follow me.” It is an incredible privilege to hear the call. In our hearts, let us “leave it all behind” and follow Him. Let’s pray that we would not hold on to the temporary things of this world but we would instead abandon everything else in faith so we may find and live in true freedom.