Mark 1:14-20
Jesus goes fishing
Our Gospel lesson is the wonderful passage about Jesus calling four disciples. Jesus’ call to them would change their lives forever. I just have to quote the first verse of Hymn No. 661, and then we can move on from here:
They cast their nets in Galilee
just off the hills of brown;
such happy, simple fisher-folk,
before the Lord came down.
I want to point out a few things about these people whom Jesus called. First of all, they were neighbors in the Galilee. Maybe they had been competitors or even partners in the fishing business. But it’s a pretty sure thing that they knew each other. Fisher people know other fisher people. I cannot think of any one of us who lives in a vacuum. We all have neighbors, friends, or relatives. We all know someone who would benefit from seeking God, or a deeper knowledge of God.
Secondly, these people might have seen Jesus before. But maybe they had not seen him up close. Maybe they had not heard Jesus call their name. Maybe they had not been invited to follow him. Jesus gives them (and us) a personal invitation. Perhaps someone you know is waiting for a personal invitation to come and worship with us at Holy Cross. Please invite them. This will improve your people-fishing skills.
Thirdly, these invitations to follow Jesus happened in the course of daily living. The scripture text makes it sound casual, as though Jesus was simply going for a walk along the shore of the lake. Later, he would walk on the lake itself and his disciples would believe in him more than ever. As we go about our daily business, let’s think in terms of inviting others to join us in joyful worship on Sunday mornings, or for those lively discussions on Thursday evenings. We don’t have to walk on water to do that.
At first glance we might think that Jesus looks all alone out there on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Actually, Jesus had gone fishing without a boat or a net. He was fishing for followers.
Jesus had picked Galilee very carefully. He did not begin his ministry in Jerusalem, which was the hub and center of religious activity in his day. He would later spend more time in Jerusalem, but the beginning of his ministry was out in the countryside. He would work his way back to Jerusalem and be killed there by the authorities. He would be buried there and rise again. But after his resurrection, Jesus would return to the Galilee. He loved that place.
Jesus went out to the countryside where the air is clear and preached a simple but profound message. He told his hearers that it was time to break out of their mold and live the dynamic life of the Kingdom of God. They could break free and believe that God was present with them. They were to repent – turn completely around – and follow Jesus. He would teach them how to live this new life. He would give to them unforgettable stories and parables about how to love God and love their neighbors. He would teach them how to fish for people.
Jesus was not alone for very long. He began by calling two sets of brothers. Jesus knew that he could not do all the people-fishing by himself. From a practical standpoint, Jesus had to have help. Jesus needed other hands to work with him and other feet to walk with him.
Jesus’ call to Simon and Andrew was simple: literally, “Come after me and I will make you to become fishers of people.” This was a permanent, ongoing invitation. If they followed Jesus, they had to decide whether they would allow Jesus to make them to become something they had not been before. This was risky business. Would they become Jesus’ disciples and learn his ways? Would they follow Jesus’ teachings? But beyond that, would they pass Jesus’ teachings along to others? Would their enthusiasm for the love of Jesus be contagious? What would happen if they allowed Jesus to make them to become fishers of people?
James and John were the two other brothers who answered readily the call of Jesus. Jesus also trained them to be and make disciples. Jesus would invest about three years in these first, carefully chosen people who would turn their world upside down.
I’ve been fishing only a few times, and I think fishing is not as easy as it appears to be. Serious fishing takes a lot of patience and ingenuity. It also takes being in the right place at the right time. It takes the right bait. The people I know who like to fish seem to have fishing in their blood. Some of them have bumper stickers that say, “I’d rather be fishing.” I suspect that fishing can be habit-forming. Once you catch a fish, you would want to catch more. At least, that seemed to be Jesus’ attitude toward fishing.
I think that God still fishes for people. I believe God uses many lures and baits to do that. I think that one of the things God uses is beautiful, well-kept churches, Christian art and music. I like to think our web site is helpful, because people can check us out online. They can read sermons, newsletters, and vital information about us and our connections to other like churches. And we have a big sign at our future location.
As your priest, I’m continuously fishing for people. I try to be very visible. My purpose for doing that is to meet people who want to seek God or a deeper knowledge of God. I believe they can explore their faith and seek God here at Holy Cross. But like our Lord Jesus, I cannot do it alone.
Jesus did not start a secret society. Jesus started a church which he loves and for which he gave himself over to suffering and death. I believe the major reason why people come back to church again and again is that somehow they sense the mystery and the presence of God. This fills an empty place – that “God-shaped vacuum” in our hearts. Once we have experienced that, we’re hooked. And once we are hooked on Jesus, our lives are forever changed. The Holy Spirit of God reels us in.
Yes, our Lord Jesus is still fishing for disciples. I hope we can all join him in this exciting adventure. Amen.
In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
Billings, Montana
406-208-7314
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
photo: pier at Wrangell, Alaska
June 2008
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