Reading passages in the Bible that include fishermen strike a chord in me. My husband is a fisherman and I often wonder what it would have been lie. If he had been a fisherman in Jesus’ time. If I had been a fisherman’s wife in Jesus’ time.
In this passage we see Jesus walking by the sea where he “happened upon” Simon, Andrew, James and John. They were busy at work, casting nets, ready to catch fish.
Mark 1:16-20
”Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.”
Jesus speaks to them. Fishermen. Grungy, smelly fishermen. He asks them to follow Him. To be fishers of men.
Somethin’ tells me this wasn’t a common term or employment opportunity. If someone said this to us today, even with this recollection I doubt our response would be anything like these fishermen’s response.
Straightway.
Straightway. They forsook their nets.
They didn’t question. They didn’t ask for a day or two to think about it.
Straightway. They forsook their nets and followed him.
A fisherman’s life is determined by the weather. Being able to read the wind and waves. Knowing when to head out and when to come into the docks. They know straightway. There must be no hesitancy. They know when they must act. They trust themselves, they have to.
I’ve learned over the last 10 years how well my husband and knows the weather. I’ve learned that he must do things when he says so, even if plans have to be changed. Things must be done straightway.
How often do we feel a tug or even a shove from the Lord, and we ignore it? Say we’re not the right person, it’s not a good time?
Many times when we should have moved straightway, we miss out. Miss out being a blessing, miss out serving the Lord, miss out showing God’s love.
These fisherman straightway left their lives, their families, and followed Jesus. Straightway. They followed Jesus.
While we can’t physically follow Him, we can follow His example. Everywhere He went He showed compassion, love and always gave of Himself. He held nothing back. He gave all of Himself.
Have you ever given all of yourself?
Have you ever followed Jesus’ example? Holding nothing back.
Straightway. No hesitancy. No delay.
Straightway.
14 comments
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Lauren @ {{mercyINK}}
August 27, 2012 at 10:59 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Such a challenge for us today! Thank so much for sharing with us at mercyink’s heart&home gathering. blessed to have you
lauren
Lauren @ {{mercyINK}} recently posted..Redemption Story
simplyhelpinghim
August 28, 2012 at 6:54 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
A challenge for us all! Thank you for stoppin by!
Blessings!
Diane
August 25, 2012 at 1:19 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What wonderful insights! I am very guilty of hesitation.
Wait! He’s not really talking to me, is he? No. There must be other people more qualified than I.
I second guess and quantify and shuffle nervously. You are right. I need to move straightway. Act straightway. Serve straightway.
Beautiful post! Than you for sharing on NOBH!
Diane recently posted..Remembering
simplyhelpinghim
August 25, 2012 at 7:52 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes, it is easy to think there is someone better than me. I have a card in the kitchen that says “God calls the qualified and qualifies the called….which sort of wipes out all my excuses.” It is a great reminder when I’m feeling overwhelmed and unable to take anything else on. Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!
emily
August 21, 2012 at 5:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Such a hard place of discernment sometimes, to know if he’s asking for immediacy or for continued prayer. Love hearing people’s thoughts on the call of those disciples
Visiting from Teaching What is Good…
emily recently posted..A Heart Full
simplyhelpinghim
August 21, 2012 at 7:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So true. Discernment is a difficult process. Thank you for stoppin by!
Blessings!
Pamela
August 21, 2012 at 2:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Love that word–straightway. I love how God uses others, like you, to share insights into Scriptures. You have challenged me to be “straightway.”
Pamela recently posted..Picnic Under the Sheltering Tree
simplyhelpinghim
August 21, 2012 at 7:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am challenged by the word “straightway”. Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!
Leslie
August 21, 2012 at 11:09 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great insight, I’m so glad you shared and linked up with Simply Better. I’ve thought about fishermen being fishers of men before but not with straightaway in mind. I came at it from, they have a mental clarity that comes from peace and quiet. They rise early and stay out until the job is done. They know when to keep fishing and when to move on. As an added bonus they could also keep Jesus supplied with fish so he could focus on teaching and not food!
Leslie recently posted..Tuesday Tips and Link Up Party #6!
simplyhelpinghim
August 21, 2012 at 7:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I had never thought of them using their work to feed while with Jesus! Thank you for sharing! Blessings!
Mary Beth
August 21, 2012 at 10:32 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That tid-bit about fishermen having to make decisions quickly adds so much understanding to this passage. Thanks for sharing that!
Mary Beth recently posted..Fleeing Temptation and Pursuing Righteousness
simplyhelpinghim
August 21, 2012 at 7:56 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It is so true, something I am not good at, but my hubby excels in! Thanks for stoppin by friend! Blessings!
Kate @ Teaching What Is Good
August 21, 2012 at 8:57 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes, I love how the disciples up and obeyed. And in Mark, everything was “immediately” – think that is a testimony of who God made HIM to be as well. Having been quick to fall back and run (he was the one who left Paul and Barnabas), he was transformed into a man who was quick to FOLLOW and OBEY!
Thanks for linking up today.
Kate @ Teaching What Is Good recently posted..Loving Our Children link-up
simplyhelpinghim
August 21, 2012 at 7:58 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes ~ follow and obey! That we must learn to do! Thanks so much for stoppin by! Blessings!