Called

Sometimes the one who starts the movement doesn't get to see it all the way through.

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 

Every time I read this passage, I imagine Jesus coming upon people he doesn't know and calling them to follow him.

But I wonder if that is wrong.

What if he does know them?

They were followers of John, so he would have met them before, when John baptized him and introduced him to his followers.

John even made it clear that this was the one who would carry on.  John would relinquish his leadership to the Messiah, Jesus.

So, after John is arrested, the followers disperse and go back to their jobs.

They wait.

And one day, Jesus comes to them to call them back, and they immediately give up their jobs and follow.

The mission was already planted in their souls by John.  He was the one who paved the way, making it easy for Jesus to gather together the best of the best, keeping the momentum going strong.

Sometimes the work we do doesn't seem to  make much of a difference at the time, but then later, when we are called back to put those skills to work again, it makes all the difference in the world.

More to come...