Called To Follow The Master!

 

Rev Evans Nyamadzawo

4 May 2022

*Today's Readings*

  Psalms 121

  Isaiah 6: 1-8

  Luke 5: 1-11

*Reflection Text- Luke 5: 4-6, 10-11*

4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But 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.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking...10 and 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.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Both the Old and New Testaments show us how God called different people from their vacations and molded them to perfectly fit into His plan. Moses worked as a shepherd for Jethro for 40 years before being called to lead the Israelites to the promised land of Canaan. As a shepherd, he was to lead the sheep to green pastures and water, protect them from wild animals, guard them at night and make sure that nothing would happen to each and one of them. *These pre-acquired skills were very useful when God called Him to a spiritual vocation.* 

In the passage, Jesus chose fishermen from Galilee to follow him and be his disciples. In the first century, most peasant fishermen were poor and were exploited since they did not have control over prices, licenses and taxes. People from Galilee were known as people of few letters, meaning that they were not educated. Despite being people of low class, Jesus chose them for a great and special mission. In the passage, we hear that they had toiled the whole night without catching anything. Their resilience in fishing was very key and important in the preaching of the gospel. Jesus did not choose Pharisees but he chose people who were not directly qualified but with a solid background in the mission ahead. *In other words, Jesus did not call the qualified, but he qualified the ones he had called.*

These fishermen had the right determination and mindset. Immediately when they were called, despite the great catch they had, they left everything and followed him. This made them privileged to learn from Jesus and witness the awesome power of God.  Following Christ, however, entailed that they would live in a new way as instructed by their master. 

For us, following Jesus means that we should give him his place as a shepherd to lead the way. It is not conditional when you need his only protection but it is a daily commitment to follow him. In Luke 9: 23, Jesus said “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” It is not part-time work. Paul said that he was a bondservant of Christ. The Greek word he used is Doulos which can be translated as slave or servant or one who is entirely at the disposal of his master. In the ancient world, slaves were branded with a seal to show whom they belonged or they had a mark of identity. *This is true of Christians; the moment we were baptized, we received a seal of the Holy Spirit, which is a mark that we are Christ’s own (Eph 1: 13).* 

In the book of Revelation, John spoke of those with the seal being the ones who will be saved. 

Slaves do not choose what to do and when to do it, they just obey their masters. Let me use a light example. Assuming you have a house helper, and you ask her to make lunch and she says, that I do not feel like cooking today. What will be your reaction? The moment you are a slave, it is not about you but your master. I have heard people saying I do not feel like going to church today. *Any time you make a personal decision on moral or spiritual things based on what you like without consulting your masters, indirectly you are being rebellious.* This can gradually lead to spiritual death. 

In conclusion, Jesus said fishermen, who were looked down upon but he made them fit for his kingdom. It is the same people who were not educated who were accused of turning the world upside down (Acts 17: 6). What I want you to know is that being Called to Follow Christ, it’s a privilege.  *Remember, we are called from different places, with different careers, ages, talents, and influences, the question is how can you convert whatever you have to the glory of God?*