Call of Discipleship

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.” 18At once they left their nets and followed him." (Mark 1:16-18)

How many of you reading this used to be one of those kids who wondered how long it would be until the team captain finally picked you? I was usually middle-of-the-pack guy. I knew my number would be picked eventually, and I was certain I would not be last.

What did the captain see in us and why did he choose who he chose at the start? Usually it was reputation and known skill. "If I'm going to win this game," he would think, "I've got to get Greg Parker on my team, 'cause he's the best." (Greg Parker was the school yard great in my early days of school in Houston.)

When Christ went to choose his disciples, what did he see in them that caused him to say, "Come, follow me"? As he sought to build a team of disciples, what traits was he considering to build a team to "take on" the world as it was known at that time to teach who he is, how he can transform life to the believer, and how he has the words of ever-lasting life? We don't know the answers to those questions, but we do know that after three years, his death and resurrection took place, and that he stayed around for another 40 days until he ascended. He then sent his Spirit and everything made sense to these men. With "fire in their bellies," they began a ministry that completely changed the world. In Acts 9, he calls Saul, who was breathing murderous threats against these disciples. He joins The Way, and the rest is history up to our current day.

Christ may have called the unlikely, but he saw something in each of his disciples that made him call them. What did Christ see in these men? What does he see in you and me? We don't hear the disciples ask, upon being selected, typical questions we might ask, like, "Why me?" or "What's in it for me?" They simply respond and go with him. In fact in Luke's Gospel, we read of potential disciples who offer service or are called respond with a comment or question:

[Jesus] said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”61Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:59-62)

Jesus is very matter of fact in this.

How do you respond to the call given to you by Christ?

I know how I've responded: "I've got a full schedule." "I'm not certain I have the necessary talent." "Will there be a training on this?"

We know Christ called these men, and he calls us today to be his disciples. In a culture that desperately needs to hear his message, what will our response be?

Pray we create a culture of discipleship that helps us respond to the call when it is given. Pray that God's talents he has given us are all we need for this call. Pray God's Spirit strengthen us and give us the necessary "things" to successfully disciple those in our world in need, a need to hear and heed his Word, and to receive the redeeming faith we enjoy as believers through our baptism. Pray that the world responds to our call and hears the same call in due time.