When we read the calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John (read Mark 1:14-18), we are left with the impression that Jesus has never met them before. We imagine Jesus’ approach to be this mysterious process where after Jesus looks up to the sky, praying, he then turns his gaze upon them. Looking straight at them in the eye, he commands them to follow him and learn how to fish for people. Like men possessed, they leave their jobs and obey him.
It is not that this can’t happen; rather this is not how it happened. Jesus’ approach to discipleship is a lot more down to earth.
Jesus knew all of them long before their meeting by the Sea of Galilee (or Lake Gennesaret). According to the apostle John, Jesus first met them after he was baptised by John the Baptist (John1:35-42). In Luke’s account (4:38-39), Jesus visited Peter at his house. While there, he healed Peter’s mother-in-law who was suffering from a high fever.
Over time Jesus nurtured his relationship with them. This explains why Peter, an experienced fisherman, followed Jesus’ instructions about where to fish. It certainly at the very least makes their immediate decision to leave their livelihood to follow Jesus’ call to follow him and learn how to fish for people more plausible.
Discipleship, whether, we are discipling unbelievers to put their faith in Jesus or discipling believers to grow in their faith in following Jesus and learning how to fish for people (disciple-makers), relationship is key (and intentionality – that’s for another article!). The relationships Jesus had with the disciples, whether as individuals or as a group continued once the team was formed. He influenced and shaped his disciples by doing life with them.
My point is this: when thinking about how to fish for people, it is not some complicated and intellectual process. Don’t think you have to be a fountain of knowledge on everything to do with explaining how the universe came to be. Start by recognising people in your lives who are not yet believers whom God is already working on. Take a genuine interest in them. Do life with them. Be there when they succeed. Be there when they fail. When God opens a door, go through it!
Following Jesus,
Mark
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