In The Word
Read: Mark 1:16-34
16 As He was going along the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will have you become fishers of people.”18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and went away to follow Him.
21 They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,24 saying, “What business do you have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are: the Holy One of God!” 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 After throwing him into convulsions and crying out with a loud voice, the unclean spirit came out of him.27 And they were all amazed, so they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Crowds Healed
29 And immediately after they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and they immediately *spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she served them.
32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Here we see that Yeshua (Jesus) was walking along the sea, not just to take a stroll or exercise, but because He was looking for laborers who would help Him in His mission. Notice He called out for these men to follow Him, not just believe in Him. Their response was immediate! All through Mark, we see quick and immediate obedience to the voice of God. This demonstrates the urgency of doing the work of God. For these men to do the work of God and become fishermen of men, they had to leave what they were doing. They had to leave the things presently tying up their time, so they could have the time to serve and follow Christ.
They went into the synagogues and in homes preaching the Word of God. They did not teach the Word of God with a question mark, but with a period. Christ taught them that when you know the Truth, you can have confidence in what you are telling people. Our society today makes a statement with a question mark to see how the people will receive it, instead of teaching the Truth in the authority given to us by Christ.
Yeshua, does not just want you to believe in Him, but to follow Him and be a witness of the Truth to the world. To do that, you are going to have to put some things down that are tying up your time so you will have time to serve and follow Christ. Obey Him immediately today!