16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mark 1:16-20 KJV)
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
As Jesus began his public ministry, he called his disciples (Mark 1:16-20). Christ would not preach alone—he would gather followers. If he set up a school, he would have students; if he raised a banner, he would have soldiers. He ensures this outcome, for all the Father has given him will come. The people he chose to assist in establishing his kingdom were not the elite from religious councils or rabbinic schools but humble fishermen from the seaside. This made it clear that the power came from God, not them.
Though Christ didn’t need human help, he chose to work through people to engage with us in a personal, accessible way, fulfilling what Jeremiah said: “Their leader shall be one of their own” (Jeremiah 30:21). He honored those who were diligent and united in their work, calling them while they were busy and together. Industry and unity are valuable in his service. Ministers are called to fish for souls—people lost in the world like fish in the sea, drifting with the current, often destructive toward one another.
In preaching, ministers cast the net (Matthew 13:47); some are drawn in, many escape. Like fishermen, ministers labor hard, face challenges, and must persevere even when success is limited. Those Christ calls must be ready to leave all to follow him. He enables them to do this, not by demanding instant withdrawal from the world, but by calling for a detachment from anything that conflicts with devotion to him. James and John left their father and the hired servants, showing not just sacrifice but also care—they didn’t leave their father without help. Some see in this a sign that their work was successful enough to afford servants, and yet they still gave it up for Christ.