This week in our sermon series, “Jesus of Nazareth,” the message is “The Disciples are Called.” We will be in Mark and Matthew. 

Let’s look at who Jesus calls:

Four fishermen - Jesus does not call some nobility to go out and save the world, but four ordinary fishermen.  They probably looked a little rough (best guess), and smelled like fish (better guess).  Jesus walks by Simon and Andrew first, and James and John second, with a very non-descriptive request.  “Come follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”  What a clever way to “hook” these four.  (See what I did there?)  We do not get to see the entire dialogue, but it appears that there is not much convincing to do.  They leave their people and begin the journey with Jesus. 

What if that was YOU?

Sinners - Jesus does not call the righteous, but calls sinners.  He finds Matthew at the tax collectors booth.  With a simple, “Follow me,” he is instantly having dinner at Matthew’s house, surrounded by “many” tax collectors and sinners.  Again, we do not get to see the entire dialogue, but it appears that there is not much convincing to do.  Jesus tells the Pharisees that he is not here to call the righteous, but here to call the sinners.  They leave their people and begin the journey with Jesus.

What if that was YOU?

In reality…..Jesus called everyday, average people.  People that needed help, people that needed healing.  Everyday, average people that were going to do the extraordinary.

What if that was YOU?

GUESS WHAT?  IT IS YOU.