Cutting Bait Matt Laney Jesus saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat and followed him. - Mark 1: 19-20 Theres an old Etta James song called. A Change is Gonna Do Me Good. Nice ditty, but we rarely believe it unless things are just plain rotten in our life. We never think, Im happy, healthy, fulfilled, secure, my cup overflows, I could really use a change! Change is attractive only when the new option outshines our current reality. When Jesus came to Andrew and Peter, James and John and said Follow me they were all on the job in the family fishing business. Immediately, Mark says, they left and followed him. Ive always felt bad for father Zebedee in that moment. When James and John cut bait, they were also cutting out Zebs work force and retirement plan. Was a life of fishing not what they bargained for? Were they experiencing a collective, pre-modern existential itch for something more? Or was the new option before them in Jesus so compelling, everything else paled in comparison? Many reject the call to discipleship as too challenging. That it is, but discipleship is way better and far easier than what we are all trying to do instead, which is to be our own god and follow our own way. Cutting bait to follow Jesus may not be your calling right now. Then again it might. You can certainly be a disciple and keep on fishin. Just be prepared for an unusual catch instead of business as usual. Prayer Lord Jesus, may I be ready when you call today and every day.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:36:57 +0000
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