COME, FOLLOW ME

Passage: Mark 1:14-20

Key verse: 17

NIV

Jesus Announces the Good News(A)

14 After John(B) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,(C) proclaiming the good news of God.(D) 15 “The time has come,”(E) he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe(F) the good news!”(G)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.(H)

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Begins His Ministry

14 (A)Now after John was arrested, Jesus (B)came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, (C)“The time is fulfilled, and (D)the kingdom of God is at hand;[a] (E)repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

16 (F)Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become (G)fishers of men.”[b] 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 1:15 Or the kingdom of God has come near
  2. Mark 1:17 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The messenger of Christ John the Baptist was put in prison. However, there is no hint of darkness or despair in Jesus. He proclaimed the good news of God: “The time has come”; “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” In good or bad times, Jesus went onto proclaim his word. No matter the condition of our times, we should go into the world and preach the message of Jesus.

When Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting a net into the lake, he said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once, they left their nets and followed him. They let go of their old, empty lives and followed Jesus right away. Jesus called us from our empty, meaningless lives that were only chasing worldly successes and pleasures. Jesus tells us, “Come follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” Jesus wants us to follow him, and he gives us a new mission to fish for people.

Jesus also called James, son of Zebedee, and John. They even left their father in the boat and followed Jesus. How willing are we to follow Jesus? We should serve Jesus now, with our youth, time, energy, and money. When we do that, Jesus will surely bless our life!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to follow you. Please use us today as fishers of men!

One Word: Jesus sending us out to fish for people