Answering Yes To The Call To Follow

Matthew 4:12–23

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:  “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

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Introduction

Who (or what) do you follow? You may follow many different people (or things). We're constantly surrounded by messaging that tells us to follow. Social media and influencers tell us to "follow" if we don't want to miss out on the latest trend. Politicians and activists tell us to "follow" and believe in the vision they have for us. Schools, work, and relationships also tell us to "follow" if we want to find happiness and fulfillment. Today scripture reminds us that Jesus says, "Follow me." As we will discover, following Jesus requires a tad more than clicking a "subscribe" or "follow" button and more than casting a ballot and putting up lawn signs. Following Jesus is a life-altering decision. 

Part 1: Choosing to Follow

In the ancient world, the act of following a teacher (rabbi, sage, spiritual mentor) was a serious matter. The act of a rabbi (or teacher) training students (or disciples) is an essential tenant that we can find throughout the Jewish texts and New Testament texts. Often students would seek out a teacher, and in rarer instances, the teacher would seek out the students. Regardless of how the student was chosen, there were expectations that they would follow the rabbi's teachings and interpretations. And not only would they follow, but this would be their life's dedication. Everything else was secondary, and the calling to follow was first and foremost. 

The disciples Jesus called set down their nets to follow him (some even left their family's boat). They left their livelihoods, the occupation that allowed them to buy food for their families. And that's not even touching the fact that fishermen during this time were likely overseen by the Roman Empire (ensuring they had a quality supply of fish to feed the growing empire). By following Jesus, the disciples were rejecting everything that told them to pursue something else (and instead of being fishermen of little value, they would become fishermen for Jesus, who would treat them with the value they deserved). Jesus is calling out to you, saying, "Follow me." Will you follow? 

Part 2: Actually Following

Answering the call to follow Jesus is only the beginning. Accepting the invitation marks the start of our pursuit of embracing a whole new way of life. Jesus says, "Follow me," and adds, "Follow me, and let me show you what needs to be done."  It's not enough to say that we will follow; we need to put those words into action as well through our spiritual discipleship. The image of fishing calls us to remember the chaotic waters found at the beginning of scripture. God called us out of the waters of the deep void, and so Jesus asks the disciples, invites us, to lift others out of chaos and into light and love. Jesus tells us to be fishers of people. And we start by committing ourselves to Jesus' teachings. 

One thing I hear from colleagues and other church folk is that it seems like there is much that pulls people away from the church (from following Jesus). That may be true. Yes, sports are often scheduled on Sundays, and culturally church is not as centric to family life, but that doesn't mean the people who aren't in the pews are following Jesus. In fact, we should turn that question around and ask ourselves how and if we are following Jesus. It's easy for us to point a finger and lay blame, but the truth is that we all have a role to play; we all have a responsibility in our pursuit of carrying out the teachings of Christ. 

Part 3: The Lifelong Journey

Walking alongside Jesus, we must understand that it is a lifelong journey. There are no easy outs or ways to cheat, and what we knew in our former lives will look different because Jesus comes and disrupts the status quo. I hope that over the course of this year, we can continue to evaluate ourselves so that we may reform and reuse what may be stagnant and make way for something that is new and exciting. But this vision for what the church, what our church, what our journey together in spirit, requires is a willingness to set aside our pride and hastiness so that we may genuinely hear where it is God is leading us. If we do not make the necessary shifts in our faith and discipleship, we are shortchanging our spiritual journey. 

If we are willing and eager to go when Jesus says, “Follow me,” and if we are willing to do the hard work of reassessing our time, tools, and talent we will have already taken the first significant step in allowing our hearts to cast a new vision for what it means to be the church and a uniquely and wonderfully made person who has been endowed with love divine. But it’s something that requires all of us. This vision casting, this work together, this being the hands and feet of Jesus, and being people who seek to fill their souls cannot be done by one person! It cannot be done by a pastor, by members of the session, deacons, or anyone else. Because it is a group effort that requires the buy-in of all people as we seek to be faithful stewards and disciples who “fish” for the sake of something more than the ordinary and mundane. 

Conclusion

We cannot know what tomorrow brings. We do not know if tomorrow's changes in our lives, ministry, and faith will impact what we do. Only God knows what will happen as the author of the book of life. All we know and all we can do is be faithful. All we know and can do is answer the call to follow Christ, who leads by example, and calls us to throw down our nets (of the empire, fame, fortune, selfishness, stubbornness, hate, and fear) and learn from the teacher, the rabbi of God's lifeway. Let us answer with enthusiasm, and let us conduct our ministry knowing we are called to be fishers in God's kin-dom.