FOLLOW ME!

Mark 1:14-20

After Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan and anointed by the Spirit he began his ministry of preaching the gospel, the good news that the kingdom of God was now at hand for all who were ready to receive it. What is the kingdom of God? The word "kingdom" means something more than a territory or an area of land. It literally means "sovereignty" or "reign" and the power to "rule" and exercise authority. The prophets announced that God would establish a kingdom not just for one nation or people but for the whole world. The scriptures tell us that God's throne is in heaven and his rule is over all (Psalm 103:19). His kingdom is bigger and more powerful than anything we can imagine because it is universal and everlasting (Daniel 4:3). His kingdom is full of glory, power, and splendor (Psalm 145:11-13).

We have to know that God sent us his Son not to establish an earthly kingdom but to bring us into his heavenly kingdom, a kingdom ruled by truth, justice, peace, and holiness. The kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus' mission. It's the core of his gospel message. As soon as John the Baptist had finished his testimony Jesus went to Galilee. There he proclaimed the Gospel of God. John was arrested by King Herod for having denounced the immoral behavior of the King (Lk 3, 18-20). The imprisonment of John the Baptist did not frighten Jesus! On the contrary, in that he saw a symbol of the coming of the Kingdom. This Good News of the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus has four different aspects: The time of the fulfilment has arrived, the Kingdom of God is close at hand, convert yourselves, and believe in the Good News.

The first objective of the proclamation of the Good News is that of forming a community. Jesus goes by, he sees and he calls. The first four who were called, Simon, Andrew, John and James, listen, abandon everything and follow Jesus in order to form a community with him. “Follow me” is Jesus’ invitation to a new life in the new Kingdom. If these four fishermen accept the invitation, their lives will forever be different. They will be different. They will no longer catch just fish. They will fish people.

When Jesus says, “I will make you fishers of people,” he is describing the transformation of their lives. This is not simply about changing careers, disowning our family, or moving to a new town. The encounter with Jesus should bring about a radical change in our life. He could just as easily have said to the carpenters, “Follow me, and you will build the kingdom of heaven.” To the farmers, “Follow me, and you will grow God’s people. To the doctors, “Follow me, and you will heal the brokenness of the world.” To the teachers, “Follow me, and you will open minds and hearts to the presence of God.” To the parents, “Follow me, and you will nurture new life.” The important message is that whatever your life is, whatever your job is, however you spend your time, there is in that life Jesus’ call to “Follow me.” “Follow me” is the call to participate with God in God’s own saving work. The problem with us is that when Jesus says, “Follow me”, we immediately reply “Where are we going? What will we do? How long will we be gone? What do I need to take? Where will we stay?”

If we heard the gospel well, these questions are not there. Jesus does not offer a map, an itinerary, or a destination, He offers only an invitation: follow me. This is not the type of journey you can prepare for. This is the inner journey, a journey into the deepest part of our being, the place where God resides. It’s not about planning and organizing, making lists of thing to take, or packing supplies. This journey is about leaving everything behind. Listen to what Mark says:

•“Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

•“They left their father Zebedee in the boat…, and followed him.”

The invitation, “follow me,” is also the invitation to leave behind; to leave behind our nets, our boats, and even our fathers. That’s the hard part for most of us. We’re pretty good at accumulating and clinging but not so good at letting go. This gospel tells us that our spiritual growth involves some kind of letting go. We never get anywhere new as long as we’re unwilling to leave where we are. We accept Jesus’ invitation to follow, not by packing up, but by letting go. The important question for us is what are the nets that entangle us? What are the little boats that contain our life? Who are the fathers from whom we need to depart? What do we need to let go of and leave behind so that we might follow him?