Four Ordinary Fisherman

Mark 1:16–20 ESV

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. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 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. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

…become…there is a process of becoming a fisher of man. Like there is a process for anyone. Guitar, Piano, Drummer, Doctor, Technician, Realtor, and the list goes on and on.

Jesus can and will do it…for them He did! God make you become the disciple He wants you to be. But KNOW that it is going to take time.

They left their father.

We learn from the other gospel narratives that these four to prioritize Christ over familial and social obligations. They were willing to leave their father, mother, brothers, and sisters in order to become a fisher of men with Jesus. Modern day people who say yes to be ministers will leave father, mother, brother, and sister, and hometown, in order to go to college/seminary to become a fisher of men.

I think of the call of the minister who has to leave his home in order to go to college / seminary. I remember my early days in ministry, I went to college, then lived thousands of miles away from my family while saying yes to God’s call. At times it was 4500 miles away from home.

The sacrifice of the young minister is huge, but so is the sacrifice of those who are left behind. (Like the Father in the boat) My parents weren’t around for 3 of my children’s births. And holidays. And mealtime. Yeah it was hard for those who left their father, but it was hard on the father too. Who am I going to get to man these fishing boats. Who can I depend on to carry on the family business.

Consider the story of Abraham, who God commanded to leave his homeland to follow Him to an unknown land (Genesis 12:1). This act of leaving required immense faith, much like when we are called to move from the familiar comforts of our lives to a path laid out by Christ. It wasn't easy for Abraham, nor is it easy for us to step out in trust. Just as Abraham did, we too must trust that God has a greater plan when leaving behind the things we hold dear, including family ties.

In Luke 9:59-60, Jesus calls someone to follow Him, and the response is, 'Let me first go bury my father.' This highlights a tension many of us face between familial obligations and our call to discipleship. A personal story comes to mind: I had a friend who felt called to mission work, yet struggled to leave behind his secure job and the approval of his father, who wanted him to take a 'safer' route. Following Jesus often involves leaving behind our comfort zones and the expectations of others, just as the first disciples did.

Reflect on the disciples who left everything to follow Jesus (Mark 1:16-20). They walked away from their father, their fishing business, and all they knew to pursue a life of purpose and faith. This choice was not just about physical leaving but also about a significant shift in values and priorities. Their commitment challenges us today: Are we prioritizing our relationship with Christ above all else, even the expectations from our loved ones?

In my own life, I once faced a moment where I felt called to a life of service that would take me far from my parents' expectations. It was a serious decision where I had to weigh my desires against the love for my family. Just as Jesus promised that those who follow Him will not be left without family (Matthew 19:29), I learned that leaving isn't forsaking; it's embracing a new family of faith that supports our walk with Christ.

Emphasize the relational sacrifices they made, leaving behind their father and the comfort of community.

Application: What if something God calls you to do moves you away from your family? What if some activity God calls you causes a relational change with your family? What if saying YES to God meant not celebrating that family tradition anymore because you served in a way that kept you from being there.

They left their nets.

Engaged in their daily routine, a divine interruption in their ordinary lives. These fisherman were operating their fishing business. Casting nets, cleaning nets, and mending nets are phrases used to describe some of the daily routines in the lives of these fisherman and the fishing franchise they operated.

The text says they immediately left their nets. The nets symbolize so much like time, boats, business, income, purpose, identity. But lets focus on the nets they left behind for just a minute…

IN bible times, a fishing net was a fisherman’s livelihood. Not only was it the tool for food and income, but it was also an expensive and time consuming tool that required skill and constant maintenance.

The four men operated a fishing business. The biblical accounts together describe James and John as parters with Simon Peter. The size of their business was large enough to own multiple boats and also hired help.

One that had taken generations to establish.

When Peter and Andrew received Jesus' call to leave their fishing nets, it wasn't just about abandoning their profession; it was about abandoning a sense of security for something greater. Imagine leaving a stable job, all that you're comfortable with, to follow a purpose that only you can feel in your heart. Jesus asks us, too, to leave our nets—our comforts and distractions—when He calls us to serve. What nets is He asking you to leave behind today?

They were fisherman.

Deliberately choosing ordinary Galilean fisherman as his disciples.

Notice that they are not called upon to repent and believe but rather to leave their nets and follow.

Ben Witherington III

They were FISHERMAN! THEY ARE Instead become 'fishers of men.'

Why would someone immediately leave their father, nets, and career behind?

The story of the fishermen who left their nets is profound. It suggests that when we decide to follow Jesus, the things we cling to become less significant. Picture someone walking away from a boat filled with fish—a catch that symbolizes security. We may need to consider what 'nets' we are holding on to that prevent us from following Christ wholeheartedly. This call to discipleship requires sacrifice and courage.

In the moment when the disciples left their nets, they made a conscious decision to follow a life-changing path. It reminds us that leaving your net might mean stepping away from distractions that keep us from deeper faith. For you, what do those distractions look like? Perhaps it's social media, relationships, or fears. Jesus invites us to prioritize Him in our lives, demanding our full attention and commitment.

Perhaps stress that genuine discipleship requires prompt action and faith, as delay in following Christ can result in missed opportunities to serve and grow.

Jesus’ authority to command such a life-altering decision.

Rabbi Joe…

The call for believers today to embrace the adventure and uncertainty of following Christ wholeheartedly—breaking into our routines and offering new, divine purpose.

We must be ready to redefine our roles in accordance with His divine mission.

Conclusion:

The main teaching of this sermon is that true discipleship is about leaving our old lives behind to embrace the mission Christ has for us, showcasing His call on every believer's life.

Big Idea: Responding to Christ's call transforms our ordinary lives into extraordinary missions, aligning our purpose with God's plan for humanity.

In a culture that often judges success by appearances—be it wealth, power, or status—it’s easy to get trapped in the nets of societal expectations. If you find yourself constantly striving to keep up, take a moment to reflect on your motivations; are they aligned with God’s purpose for your life? Consciously choose to participate in community service or volunteer efforts even in small ways, allowing others to witness your faith in action. This acts as a reminder that true fulfillment lies in serving God and others, not in public accolades.

At church, you may struggle to feel truly connected or to engage with others because you're caught up in your social media presence—like leaving your nets behind. Challenge yourself to physically unplug during youth group. Before the next meeting, commit to putting away your phone and fully engaging with those around you. Encourage others to join by creating an 'unplugged' social challenge where everyone agrees to share their thoughts and experiences without digital distractions, fostering genuine relationships in Christ.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to perform academically, consider what it means to leave your 'nets' of obsession with grades behind. Instead of tying your self-worth to your GPA, take a moment to pray. Ask God to help you see your identity as rooted in Him, not in your performance. Then, intentionally set aside time for activities that uplift your spirit, such as participating in a school club, volunteering, or simply reading a book you enjoy. These actions can help you prioritize what truly matters.

Sometimes the call of God is a sacrifice…like in the passage today for these fisherman…where you give up making a better salary, give up the recognition, give up the prestige, give up the travel, give up the bigger house, bigger amenities, and all the things…in order to follow Jesus wherever He calls you.

Like always, when God calls you to do something that requires sacrifice, you will never regret saying yes. You will always regret saying No.

You could suggest that James and John’s response to Jesus’ call, leaving behind their father and work, demonstrates the radical commitment required to follow Christ.