I want you to picture in your mind this scene from the Gospel of Matthew,
“18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”
Matthew 4:18-22
Can you see it?
Jesus is walking down the shore. The waves are rolling up. The smell of the sea is strong. He walks up to some boats where some men are casting nets. Jesus breaks the silence with a simple directive, “Come, follow me…and I will send you out to fish for people.” Immediately the men drop everything and follow Jesus.
They continue down the beach toward another fishing boat. Now imagine some men in the boats mending their nets. Jesus speaks once more with a similar invitation. Like the first time the men leave everything, even their father and follow Jesus.
This now larger group continues down the shore when you notice another lone person standing there. This person has been watching it all unfold. They have a nervous look on their face…the look like someone who seems to think maybe they shouldn’t have eavesdropped on all of this. But you also notice a look of hope and anticipation as if their expression is saying, “Maybe he will call me too?!?”
Zoom in on that person…that pilgrim. Look past what they are wearing and how they are standing…look closely at their face and you will notice something quite familiar – that person is you!
Jesus turns to you and what does he say? Jesus looks right at you and he invites you to follow him as well! Oh glorious day! You have been invited. You are wanted and belong. Jesus looked at you with love in his eyes and called you too!
Before we can embrace discipleship we need to revisit the idea of calling. If you are a Christian you have been called to follow Jesus. Now drop everything and walk the shore with Jesus to the next person you find. Only this time, Jesus asks you to invite them along. Welcome to discipleship.
