The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb.”

The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

He replied, “Come along and see for yourself.” They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus. Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”). (John 1:35-42 MSG)

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed. (Mark 1:14-20 MSG)

  • What are the key ingredients to these stories?
  • What do we know about Andrew, Peter, James and John?
  • What do we learn about how Jesus built his team?
  • How was the connection with Jesus made? How many influencers are involved in this willingness to follow?
  • Jesus is quoted with three phrases – “What are you after?” “Come along and see for yourself” and “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you…”  What does this tell us about Jesus and our relationship with him? 
  • Jesus called several men who were business associates, and in family and friend relationships already? What are we learning here?
  • When have you thought that Jesus might be saying something like this to you?
  • A simple way to settle in to prayer is imagining Jesus asking you “What are you after?” Why not try this in the next few weeks. 
  • Also imagine him inviting you to “Come … see for yourself?” Where might he be inviting you to go?
 

A Prayer to See & Hear You

May Jesus who walked on wounded feet
Walk with me to the end of my road.
May Jesus who served with wounded hands
Teach me to serve others. 
May Jesus who loved with a wounded heart
Be my love forever.
May I see the face of Jesus in everyone I meet and
May every one I meet see the face of Jesus in me. 
And God will bless us
In the name of the Father, 
Son and Holy Spirit, Amen