This Sunday school song springs to mind: “I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men, I will make you fishers of men if you follow me. If you follow me, if you follow me. I will make you fishers of men if you follow me,”
Picture a Sunday school with homemade fishing poles, cute hats, rubber boots and paper fish. The teacher starts singing and acting out Jesus calling his first disciples; singing over and over as everyone joins the parade, waving their fishing poles enthusiastically. Was it like that for Simon and Andrew, then James and John?
I doubt Jesus was marching, singing a catchy tune. Nonetheless, Jesus was gathering people with the same enthusiasm. Starting with a small group he was building a host, a legacy of believers. These first disciples may not have really known what they were signing up for, but they knew it was exciting. Their actions prove it: “immediately they left their nets and followed him. (verse 18)
Commissioning God, generate childlike enthusiasm in us as we walk with you. Help us to have a bounce in our steps like the children and the eagerness of the first disciples. Thank you for welcoming us into your parade. Amen. — KNM