#3 Top 40 New Testament Passages: Jesus Calls Disciples (Mark 1:17)

3. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” (Mark 1:17)

Jesus went about preaching the Kingdom of God, healing diseases, and driving out demons. He left the safety of his home in Nazareth and traveled to towns all over Galilee. Remember that Jesus was nearly killed by King Herod who felt threatened by the news of the birth of the messiah in Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:3, 16) Now Jesus, the messiah, was going public. It was a risky business, for Herod's sons ruled over Galilee and Judea. 

Jesus' travels soon took him to the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus met fishermen. He called to two brothers, Simon and Andrew. He saw them throwing their net into the sea. Jesus beckoned them to follow him, as his disciples, and he would turn them to the trade of fishing for people for the sake of the Kingdom of God. 

When I was a child we learned a song based on this scripture. Here's a recording.

https://youtu.be/Gm88zJs3kUk

And how does Jesus actually accomplish this promise? How did Jesus take common fishermen and turn them into effective evangelists for the church? He mentored them as they went about ministry together. He taught both by example and by his wisdom. 

Immediately following the calling of Simon, Andrew, James and John, they witnessed Jesus casting out a demon from a man in Capernaum. They entered the synagogue and Jesus taught those gathered. It was customary to invite visitors to share in the teaching houses of the Jews. We see this practice of visiting synagogues later in Paul's ministry. (Acts 13:5, 13-16; 14:1) A demon-possessed man interrupted Jesus. he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1:24)

Jesus rebuked the demon and liberated the man. The disciples witnessed this miracle, as did the people gathered that day in the synagogue. They exclaimed, "What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” (Mark 1:27)

Afterward they head to Simon' house, but his mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Jesus laid his hands on her and she was healed. Then people from all around Capernaum came to the house to be healed of sickness or liberated from spiritual bondage. Jesus healed them all. Simon, Andrew, James and John witnessed it all! The power of God was at work right in their own home! The Kingdom of God had come! Can you imagine how they must have felt? Amazed! Joyful! Praising God!

Word about Jesus traveled and soon great crowds came to hear him. There were so many Jesus and his disciples feared being crushed! Jesus climbed in a boat for safety sake and spoke to the crowd from the boat offshore. (Mark 3:9) The disciples heard Jesus teach parables to the crowds. 

Curious as to why Jesus chose to speak to the crowds using stories that had metaphorical meaning instead of a more direct approach, Jesus said,

“To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that

‘they may indeed look, but not perceive,
    and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’” (Mark 4:11-12; Isaiah 6:9-10)

The disciples, who responded to Jesus' call to follow Him, became fishers of people by listening to Jesus as insiders to the Kingdom of God. They watched Jesus, worked side by side with Jesus, were mentored by Jesus. Jesus explained His parables to His disciples in private, away from the crowds. 

The crowds came to Jesus because of the miracles, because of the spectacle. They listened to Jesus because He clearly came from God and must know something important to have such great ability. But Jesus knew the fickle nature of the crowds. They were there for spectacle. Jesus was there to call disciples for the work of the Kingdom of God. 

Crowds follow Jesus around. 

Disciples step out of the crowd and follow Jesus into ministry. 

If you look at the Book of Acts, or The Acts of the Apostles as it is formerly named, you will see the early church carrying out the same ministry Jesus did. They proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God. They healed the sick, fed the poor, and liberated the demon-possessed. And day by day, the Lord added to their numbers those who were being saved! (Acts 2:47)

They had become fishers of people!

Consider your own following of Jesus. How are you stepping out of the crowd of spectators? How will you join Jesus in ministry?



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