Mark 1:16-20 First Disciples

First Things: Devotions in Mark’s Gospel

Mark 1:16-20 First Disciples

Mark 1:16   As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ¹⁸ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. ¹⁹ Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

This devotional series is entitled “First Things.” Mark, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, clearly presents Jesus as the First Thing, the First Person. Our text today shows that the First Disciples thought Jesus was indeed the First Person.

Jesus is in Galilee by the sea. He comes upon two fishermen, brothers, Simon and Andrew. Jesus calls them, and they follow. They come then to another set of brothers, James and John, and they likewise are called, and they follow.

Think of it. Imagine it were you. You are sitting in class, or working your job, or walking down the street. A man, a stranger steps up to you and says, “Follow me, and I will change your life.” That’s not exactly what Jesus said, but “fishers of men” would not mean much to today’s man or woman on the street. But it was clear that he was dictating in such a way as to drastically change the trajectories of their lives - even more than they presently knew.

Leave what you are doing behind. You have no idea what is ahead, but leave what you know behind. Responsibilities will be altered. Relationships will be changed. Interests and passions will be replaced. Your planned future will be completely reoriented. Ready? Follow me.

This is as good a time as any to comment on one of Mark’s key words: immediately. It’s used twice in these five verses. It is used of both sets of brothers, in their responses to Jesus. They left their nets. James and John left their father. They left their boats. They followed Jesus.

It makes me wonder about our slow responses to Jesus. We think about following him, maybe a little here, a little there. Change is welcomed gradually, very gradually. But that’s not what Mark sees. He sees that the first disciples were disciples immediately. Commitment to Jesus is a First Thing.