Mark 1:14-28 (KJV)
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” 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 after me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when he had gone a little further 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.
And they went into Capernaum and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority and not as the scribes and there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, “Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” And Jesus rebuked him saying, “Hold thy peace, and come out of him.” And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
Devotion
Apostle Mark filled this section of the Gospel with a sense of time – almost urgency. We notice that the term straightway is used three times and immediately, its synonym, is used once. The disciples, Simon and Andrew, did not hesitate when Jesus asked them to follow him. They didn’t dither; they didn’t weigh the pros and cons of this career change. Jesus told Simon and Andrew that he would “make you become fishers of men.” So, this was a path that they would grow into and Jesus would be their guide each step of the way.
As soon as he saw James and John, Jesus called out to them. They also dropped their nets and went with Jesus, leaving their father and probably an easier life which included other family members, servants, and a fishing craft. They couldn’t have known what the future would hold but they followed Jesus nevertheless. Would I be able to do this? Give up everything I know?
They continued to walk until they reached Capernaum, where they went straight into the synagogue, since it was the Sabbath. Jesus began to teach with authority and amazed all who heard him that day. After he commanded the demons to leave a suffering man, I imagine that many people ran from the synagogue to spread the word of what they had seen. Perhaps this is the urgency for us, too. We should spread the word of God’s love to all whom we meet in our daily lives.
Prayer
Our Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only son, Jesus, to be our guide and our savior. Help us to live our lives with faith each day. Amen.
Karen Siple