Mark 1:16-34
16 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. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 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. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Reflection
The initial calling of the disciples (cf. 1 Kings 19:19–21) displays the unusual kingdom authority of Jesus (Mark 1:16–20). His divine power over spiritual (vv. 25–26, 34) and natural (v. 31, 34) forces supports his unique authority to call his followers to a radical life of learning from and following him (i.e., “discipleship”). When Jesus calls us to be his disciples, he is calling human beings to live a true and dignified human existence. This is what we were created for.
Here we see the pattern of God’s grace. He does not respond to our rebellion with disgust, throwing his hands up in the air. He pursues us in love because this is who he is.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
15: Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
Reflection
It is noteworthy that Paul sees a need to “remind” the Corinthians of the gospel, even though they are already believers (1 Cor. 15:1). This is because the gospel is not simply something to be “received” at the beginning of the Christian life (v. 1), and then abandoned. This same message is what currently strengthens Christians to “stand” before God (v. 1), and it is the tool by which we “are being saved” in our daily battle against sin (v. 2). The good news about Jesus is not merely useful for getting us through the door of the kingdom, but it is the source of ongoing strength that we need throughout the Christian life. It is not only needed for evangelism to unbelievers, but also for the daily discipleship of believers.
Psalm 119:144
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.
The life of discipleship requires ongoing growth in our understanding of the gospel. Pray for yourself and for your church leaders, asking God to keep the good news fresh in your hearts each day so that you never tire of exploring and proclaiming it.