Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22, Luke 5:1-11

1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

On 3.11.21 we considered John’s account of Jesus calling the first disciples.  I would encourage you to go back and re-read that blog for more details regarding how the Jewish culture worked and what exactly would have been going on in the hearts and minds of these men we read about today.

(On a side note given that today is good friday consider the accounts of that day. In doing so consider how these men had grown in their respective walk’s with Christ but still at the point of His arrest and sentencing struggled with faith. Just some thoughts incunjuction with today’s text.)  

The jest of what is going down in the texts we read today is this.  Jesus, a distinctive, abnormal, extremely interesting Rabbi is calling young men, most likely teenagers, who have moved from academy type study into the trades to follow and study under Him.  In the most visual of illustrations Jesus is calling these young men to re-direct their focus placing concentration on catching souls for God as opposed to fish for men and women’s stomachs.    

It will be from these few men that Jesus begins the process of discipling them.  We will read how Jesus not only teaches verbally but truly walks daily with these men.  He travels with them, eats with them, and works along side them. 

Discipleship is something I feel is crucial in the future of not only MCBC but the greater church at large.  Discipleship is something Jesus clearly models but I feel has not had the focus placed on it as it should.  

So what is Discipleship?  This is a question I want to further answer as we consider first hand how Jesus models this for us in the gospel accounts.  In short discipleship is intentional interaction between believers for the purpose of walking more faithfully with Christ.  

Jesus clearly models His followers are not to do life alone.  To walk with Jesus is to pursue community with others.  To be not only looking to aid others in the faith but also seeking from others to be aided and encouraged in the faith.  

The author of Ecclesiastes states “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fail, one will lift us His fellow.  But woe to Him who is alone when He falls and has not another to lift him up!”   

I leave you with this question.  Jesus certainly had His private time before the Lord, He also surrounded Himself with a group of others.  How is balance in your life between personal time with God and quality discipleship time with others?  In response to this question what can you do to better align your life with Christ’s and be fishers of men?