Lesson 38

LESSON 38 - Mark 1:16-20

Since John the Baptist's ministry was finished upon his death by Herod, his disciples had gone back to their homes and jobs. Peter and Andrew returned to Galilee and went back to their fishing business. So did James and John. Generally they fished at night and mended and cleaned their nets during the day.

The following passage in Luke 5 gives more information than Mark's gospel about how these men were called to become disciples of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 1So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."(Dixie: I think the Lord wanted to repay Simon Peter for the use of his boat.) 5But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 6And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

Principle: The Lord always gives back more than we offer to Him.

8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken10and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men."

Jesus walked a little farther and spoke to the other pair of brothers, James and John. They were business partners with Peter (Luke 5:10), and they also had been with John the Baptist at the time he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (Acts 1:22). They had been in a boat with their father, Zebedee, and his hired servants, mending some broken cords in their fishing nets before Jesus came. He also called them to be His disciples. So they, remembering John the Baptist's pronouncement that Jesus was the Messiah and having just seen this miracle of the fish, went after Jesus.

11So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

No doubt, they recognized the honor that He was conferring on them. They left their business and became His disciples, which means learners.

We also are called to be His followers and learn of Him. 1Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us ...

Principle: Nothing is more important than being with Jesus and doing what He calls you to do. Never let business, family or inconvenience keep you from following Jesus. Peter and Andrew and their friends considered following Jesus the most important thing in their lives.