The Essential (Mark 1:16-20)
“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”
The first account we get of Jesus’ ministry, following the summary of His message, is a disciple story. Specifically we see Him calling His first disciples. This is no coincidence, and not simply a case of Mark giving us a chronological account of Jesus’ ministry. Mark is highlighting the importance of discipleship. He structures his whole account using stories and teachings about the disciples and discipleship.
Here Jesus makes very clear the point, the purpose, of discipleship. He does not issue a call saying follow me and I will “show you your best life now” or “show you how to have better fellowship” or even “teach you all the secrets of God’s will.” He makes it clear that discipleship is all about reaching others. Those other things: better choices in life, genuine fellowship, and a better understanding of God, may be side products of discipleship but the point is learning how to reach others with the good news.
Knowing the most about the Bible does not make one a disciple. Making the best choices in life and avoiding mistakes does not make you a disciple. Trusting Jesus for you salvation does not make you a disciple. A disciple is one who walks with Jesus and shows others the way to walk with Him as well.
The first account we get of Jesus’ ministry, following the summary of His message, is a disciple story. Specifically we see Him calling His first disciples. This is no coincidence, and not simply a case of Mark giving us a chronological account of Jesus’ ministry. Mark is highlighting the importance of discipleship. He structures his whole account using stories and teachings about the disciples and discipleship.
Here Jesus makes very clear the point, the purpose, of discipleship. He does not issue a call saying follow me and I will “show you your best life now” or “show you how to have better fellowship” or even “teach you all the secrets of God’s will.” He makes it clear that discipleship is all about reaching others. Those other things: better choices in life, genuine fellowship, and a better understanding of God, may be side products of discipleship but the point is learning how to reach others with the good news.
Knowing the most about the Bible does not make one a disciple. Making the best choices in life and avoiding mistakes does not make you a disciple. Trusting Jesus for you salvation does not make you a disciple. A disciple is one who walks with Jesus and shows others the way to walk with Him as well.
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