Over the years I have worked with people from countries all over the world, I have worked with young people from incredibly diverse, social, political and religious backgrounds.
The more people I work with the more compelling I find Jesus’ invitation to His first disciples. In Mark 1 we find an account of one such invitation. In the first chapter Mark dives straight in with a brief introduction of John the baptist, before authenticating Jesus with an account of Jesus’ baptism, temptation and at verse 16 we find Jesus’ invitation to His first disciples. Barely pausing Mark continues on to retell accounts of Jesus delivering, healing and preaching. One of the things I like about Mark is its jam packed full of action and the first chapter is no exception.
It’s pretty inspirational at face value, but as so often there is more, once we start digging … so here is what we find.
In Mark 1 v 9 Mark notes “Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee,” Galilee seems to be one of the parts of Judea that had multiple influences, archeological studies show a wide range of influences in the architecture of temples and synagogues and 1 Kings 9 suggests part of Galilee had been given away by Solomon as part of a payment for building materials for the temple. Why is this significant? Well it is suggested as a result rabbis from that region were less respected as sages/philosophers because their pedigree (for want of a better word) and therefore their authority was considered to be adulterated. Instead it would appear many made a name for themselves by performing signs and wonders. Perhaps this makes some sense of people’s surprise that Jesus from Nazerath in Galilee, with his squad of Galileans demonstrates both authority and power. It also seems to reveal a little more of the significance of His baptism moment. A truly breathtaking moment where God the Father himself audibly vouches for his son, our messiah. No doubt this surprise also contributed to the first Galilean disciples eagerness to follow Jesus when He extended His invitation.
However what I find most compelling is in verses 16 – 19 Jesus calls regular, ordinary fisherman who he meets on the shore of the sea of Galilee.
“One day Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons. James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men”
How often would we overlook people like this, and make their decision for them assuming they are too busy, have too many responsibilities, aren’t living the right lifestyle, aren’t spiritually mature enough?
Passages like this constantly challenge me to spread Jesus’ invitation to engage with His Kingdom without deciding in advance who I think will respond or reject His invitation.
Long may our world come alive as we indiscriminately share Jesus’ invitation to one and all.