Logos: Matthew 4:18-23

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.  (Matthew 4:18-23)

When you read this, what questions come to mind? There have been many Sunday school lessons when this passage, or another like it, have been the topic of discussion. The question asked most often is, "Why did Simon and Andrew, James and John respond to CHrist to quickly - immediately. Following Jesus would mean abandoning their lives, their families, their whole world. And yet they did it seemingly without thought.

Had they heard of Jesus before? Is the story contracted for space?

What would you do?  What would I do?

Could it be that we forget this was Jesus calling, in person? Have you ever experienced something that you knew was coming? Years ago, a friend of mine was serving on the Lay Leadership committee with me. We were talking about who should be the Lay Leader. Her husband's name came up, and she said, "Glenn told me before I left that he would do whatever we wanted except Lay Leader." I think God was already calling him to this service, and he was resisting. For us, it was a sure sign that Glenn was the one to ask, and we were right. He said yes to God and to us, and served as Lay Leader.

I imagine that God had already been "working" on the disciples. Jesus did not come to them without their previous preparation.   What is God calling you to do that you haven't been asked to do yet? What are you being prepared for?