Our scripture this morning is Mark 1:14-20.
Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
Jesus certainly didn’t need any help from us, yet He called fisherman, tax collectors and revolutionaries as His companions. As if that weren’t enough, they went to minister to the least, the last and the lost. What kind of a plan was this?
Jesus came to show us that if we had nothing, God still loved us and had the greatest gift of all for us. He came to show us that if we thought we had everything, God still loves us and still has more to give us. No matter who we are or what we have, Jesus came for us. All we need to do is love Him in return and accept the gift of eternal life.
Jesus didn’t say we would all be wealthy or powerful or even comfortable. In fact, He calls us to be uncomfortable with what we see in a world without a connection to God. He commissions us as agents of change to bring the world back into the relationship God intended for us, loving Him and one another.
Gracious God, we are humbled that You call us to be part of Your plan. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share Your love everywhere. Amen.