Jesus said to them (Peter and Andrew), “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:17-18

Some scholars believe when Jesus asked Peter and Andrew to follow Him, it wasn’t the first time they had met. With all the crowds following Jesus, along with His teachings and healings putting Him at the center of attention in Capernaum, it is highly likely that Peter and Andrew had some familiarity with Jesus. To which I say – so what? Does it REALLY matter if this was the first interaction or not? Does it make their decision to walk away from their livelihood, their security, and their identity any LESS brave?

It doesn’t.

It’s safe to say that Peter and Andrew didn’t grasp in total what was happening. They probably couldn’t imagine days like feeding the 5,000 or walking on water were in front of them. It’s true they had days where they seriously entertained the idea of going back. But one thing they appeared to believe from the start was this: anywhere with Jesus is better than anywhere else without Him.

So they left their nets.

I wonder if this is at the core of what is seriously wrong with most of what is being called ‘Christianity’ today? How many people REALLY believe that anywhere WITH Jesus is better than anywhere else WITHOUT Him?

That it’s better to be poor WITH Jesus than rich without Him? Or sick with Jesus than well without Him? Or confused? Or alone?

The greatest half-truth people believe about Jesus is that He came to forgive our sin. It’s half-true. It’s half of the puzzle. That’s not all He came to do. He came to change us to look more like Him. He came to change our hearts. He will not just do one without the other. And therein lies the problem…

I want enough Jesus to make me feel better, to take care of my sin. But not enough Jesus that radically changes my life.

That is where the fight for our souls is.

Jesus invites us to follow Him so he can do His FULL work. Forgiveness. Transformation. Whatever it takes. Comfort? Convenience? Temporal happiness? Earthly security? None of these rank particularly high on Jesus’ list. But these are what most often are chosen instead of leaving the nets.

You would think that it would be self-evident that Jesus isn’t into half-measures. He is purposed to do His full work. Because He knows this is what we ultimately need. He knows that only His full work will satisfy that deep longing inside us. He knows and wants only the best for us, the best that we just can’t see or grasp. The work is complete but not instant. And we become partners with Him in this work when we follow. Partners on the way to a new life, new heart, new mind, new purpose….new everything.

That’s the good news of Jesus that requires us leaving our nets. So He gives the invite – come, follow me.

And in light of all of that, why stay at the nets?