January 21, 2024 – Epiphany 3B

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.” Mark 1:14-20

What are we to do?  That is the 100 million dollar question for us today.   Jesus says “Follow me” and we think to ourselves that we are – we think our lives are models of faith and devotion – and still we hear these words “Follow Me” and we have to wonder:  “Is Jesus calling me?  What is he calling me to do? What are we to do?”  

I have found that it is hard to ignore a phone that is ringing. I see this happen in my home every day. When the phone rings, when someone calls and I see that the phone call is from a number I am not familiar, I have this feeling that it is someone trying to sell me something. I tell myself “Don’t answer it!”. But every time it feels as if I am about to walk on hot coals, so compelled, so conditioned I am to answer that call. Now, I bring this up for this reason: are we just as compelled to answer the call of Jesus? When it comes to being disciples of Jesus, and when it comes to seeking out people to join us in worship and service, we often find ourselves scratching our heads trying to find ways to bring people into our midst. In our gospel lesson this morning, my friends, Jesus is calling us – to go fishing with him – to go fishing FOR him. My friends, are we answering that call?

Anyone who fishes knows that fishing takes time and patience, fishing takes knowing the territory and knowing the conditions – the same is true for fishing for people. The radical nature of this text is that Jesus took ordinary fisherman and told them that everything was about to change – everything they knew or thought they knew about fishing, about family relationships, and about life would have to change. They would have to rethink how to fish – and not just for the perfect catch – but for all kinds of people; the imperfect as well as the perfect; the smelly as well as the well-groomed; the colorful and the plain. Jesus wants to teach us, and then to have us teach others, how to catch people in the net of G-d’s love, mercy and grace. 

Ultimately, fishing for people is not about techniques or programs – it is about the radical nature of leaving everything we know and going into the great unknown – and putting all of our trust in Jesus, our teacher and guide. The fishing will seldom be easy, it will usually be frustrating, and we will often find that our nets are empty. But there are a lot of people out there who watch us – as Christians – as people of the church, who wonder what we know about G-d, or this man Jesus. They are out there waiting for good news in their lives, waiting for the good news of Jesus Christ. And that is why Jesus calls us out to fish. Albert Schweitzer wrote about this text:

“Jesus comes to us as one unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those men who knew him not.  He speaks to us the same word: “Follow Me” and sets us to the tasks which he has to fulfill in our time.  He commands.  And to those who obey him, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they will pass through in his fellowship – and they shall learn in their own experience who he is.”

“Who He is” is Jesus, and He is looking for people who want to fish for people – looking for people who want to share the good news both in word and in deed – He is looking for you and me.  He will wait – though the fishing be difficult, frustrating, even dangerous – but he will wait, because, as Jonah learned, G-d is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In other words he is patient as a good fisherman should be.  Jesus is calling – will you answer that call?

Pastor Dave