Mark 1:14-20
Leaving the Nets Where They Lay
Read the passage
14After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.
15“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
16As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
17“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
18And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
19Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.
20Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
After John is arrested, Jesus comes to Galilee proclaiming God’s gospel. The messenger’s imprisonment does not halt the message. Jesus announces that the time is fulfilled and God’s kingdom is near, calling people to repent and believe the good news.
The kingdom is not presented as an idea people must make true by believing hard enough. God’s promised time has arrived, and Jesus calls for a response to His announcement. Repentance turns from sin; faith receives the good news He brings.
Walking beside the sea, Jesus sees Simon and Andrew casting a net. He calls them to follow Him and promises to make them fishers of men. They leave their nets at once. The call interrupts real work, and their new task depends on what Jesus will make them.
Farther along, James and John are mending nets in a boat. They leave their father Zebedee with the hired men and follow too. The boat and hired men remain with Zebedee as his sons begin a different life with Jesus.
Four working men entrust their future to the Lord who calls them. Their response is immediate, but learning to follow Him will take the rest of the story. The promise that He will make them ready belongs at the beginning.
Questions
1 What does Jesus announce after John’s arrest?
AnswerThe time is fulfilled and God’s kingdom is near. Jesus calls people to repent and believe the gospel, so John’s arrest does not stop the good news from being proclaimed.
2 What does Jesus promise the fishermen?
AnswerAs they follow Him, He will make them fishers of men. Their task will change, and they will depend on Him to prepare them for it.
3 What do the brothers leave when they follow?
AnswerSimon and Andrew leave their nets; James and John leave their father in the boat with the hired men. Their response reaches into work and family responsibilities.
4 Where does following Jesus call for a change in our priorities?
AnswerWe can examine a good activity or ambition that has become more important than obedience. His call does not make ordinary work wrong, but it gives Him the first claim on how we live.
What This Means for Us
The nets are useful tools for honest work. Yet when Jesus calls these men, following Him comes first. His authority reaches the good things we arrange our lives around as well as the sins we need to leave.
We are not all commanded to leave a trade or a family business. We are all called to repent, believe His good news and learn obedience to Him. Consider a priority that keeps pushing prayer, truthful conduct or care for someone else aside. Ask how that part of life can serve the Lord rather than quietly overrule Him.
Jesus also promises to make His followers ready for their task. We can begin learning from Him without claiming we already have everything needed. He calls, teaches and gives the work its purpose.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for bringing God’s good news and calling people to follow. Help us repent and believe. Order our work and relationships under Your care, and teach us to serve the people You send us toward. Amen.