I came across this scripture today in the Bible: “Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat.” Matthew 4:21-22
If Matthew 4 is chronological, Jesus called the first disciples right after his inaugural forty day temptation in the wilderness. Building a small group of apprentices must have been very high on His priority list. He went to the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee and called James and John right out of their fishing boat. No two week notice?
I wonder what their father/employer, Zebedee, thought about that? (What did that mean for the ‘Zebedee and Sons’ fishing business?) Based on the fact that John seemed to be a person of influence in Israel (he was allowed access to Jesus’ trial, if I remember right), Zebedee might have had a pretty prosperous business going.
Thirty-two years ago Jesus came to my place of work and called me to follow Him and help shepherd His people. I told my business partners and walked away, perhaps leaving them wondering about my sanity. Am I glad I did it? I am today. I am most days. I know I will be on ‘that day.’
I wonder how many millions of successful business people Jesus has called to join him vocationally in the greatest enterprise ever? God’s in the people-saving, people-fixing, people-loving business. It’s really big business.
Lord, I remember the very day I was sitting in a church service and you showed me a short mental video of a promise I’d made to you and a young child and said, “I’ve come to collect.” I’m glad you did.