Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Mark 1:16
Here are two brothers running a small fishing business – ordinary people with ordinary lives, and Jesus spoke to them: “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men” (1:17). That’s an amazing promise! Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make something of your life.”
Notice the order: Jesus didn’t say, “Make something of your life and then you can follow me.” He said, “Follow me and I will make something of your life.” That’s the promise of Jesus to ordinary people everywhere: Follow me, and I will make something of your life.
Notice what happened when Jesus spoke: “Immediately they left their nets and followed him” (1:18). When Jesus speaks, ordinary people follow Him!
So, now there were three men walking on the beach: Jesus, Simon, and Andrew. They walked a little further, and Jesus saw another pair of brothers who also had a fishing business; James and John, the sons of Zebedee. These guys were the local competition. If you lived on this side of Galilee, you got your fish either from the Simon Brothers or from the Zebedees.
The Zebedees weren’t doing as well as the Simon Brothers. Simon and Andrew were casting their nets, while the Zebedees were still getting their nets prepared. Jesus called them too! And Mark tells us, “They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him” (1:20). When Jesus speaks, ordinary people follow Him.
What 1 or 2 expectations would you associate with Jesus’ call to follow Him?
