A Compelling Choice
Today’s Verse:
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. ~Mark 1:20
Those who oversee successful, growing businesses know that making good business decisions is key to ongoing success. A good business decision results in good employees, profitability, greater market share, greater loyalty, and increased brand acceptance. This morning, we see two businessmen who were given a business choice that would change their life and the world.
We see the brothers.
“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.” James and John were part of a thriving and successful family-owned fishing business on the Sea of Galilee. They were in partnership with their father Zebedee. They had hired servants who worked for them. They had several fishing vessels that fished on the lake. Zebedee had raised them with the idea that they would take over the business. They had no intention of leaving this lucrative business.
We see the beckoning.
“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men…. And straightway he called them.” As they were repairing their nets from the previous night of fishing, Jesus passed by their ship and issued an invitation for them to join Him and become fishers of men. He was inviting them to leave the known for the unknown. He was inviting them to learn a trade that involved reaching people and not fish. He was inviting them to go from a life of monetary success to having faith in God. He was inviting them to go from doing something that made them money to doing something that could change the world.
We see the breakaway.
The call of Jesus was compelling. They wasted no time in accepting His call. They broke away from the family fishing business to be involved in the business of winning men to Christ and starting churches. They left their financial security so that they could fish for souls. They left being supervisors to the servants and became servants to men. They went after Jesus. He made them an offer that they could not refuse. They did not ask about the benefits, salary, paid time off, or position that they would hold. They had faith in His call and followed Him.
We see the benefit.
Though at first they could not see it, James and John became part of that core nucleus that did change the world through the gospel. They had the benefit of being with Jesus for almost three years. He thoroughly trained them in church administration, soulwinning, making disciples, solving problems, planting churches, effective preaching, passionate pastoring, and living by faith. Their core competency was as fishers of men. They cast a wide net in the ocean of life and brought in souls that came to Jesus. Their life testimony and impact is still felt today through their example and John’s writings. They did not understand the impact, but their decision to follow Jesus made an impact. The Lord is calling to you this morning to make a compelling decision to be a fisher of men. Make reaching people with the gospel what you are passionate about.
Have a soulwinner’s God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ecclesiastes 5-8