Mark 1:19-24: a reflection

19Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him. 21They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. 22They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!”

As Jesus walks by the sea, he calls James and John, who are in the boat mending their nets with their father; and their response is immediate. He called them, and at once they left their father in the boat with the hired servants and went after him. There is no delay, no negotiating, no putting it off; when Jesus called, they got up at once and followed, leaving their work and their father behind. Christ's call met an immediate, wholehearted response.

Notice how James and John responded to Christ's call: immediately and wholeheartedly. They did not ask for time, or weigh the cost, or put it off until it was more convenient; they left at once, abandoning their nets and their father to follow. Their response was immediate, and it was whole: they left what they were doing and went after Jesus without delay. When Christ called, they answered at once, with their whole selves, not hesitating or holding back. The call met an immediate, undivided response.

That immediate, wholehearted response is worth taking to heart, for we can respond to Christ's call slowly, with delay and hesitation. When Christ calls us to follow him, to some obedience, some step, we can put it off, negotiate, wait for a more convenient time, respond half-heartedly; but James and John left at once and followed. When Christ calls you, do not delay or hesitate, putting it off or holding back; respond immediately and wholeheartedly, as James and John left their nets at once and followed. Answer Christ's call without delay, with your whole self, rather than putting it off or responding half-heartedly, as James and John got up at once and went after him, leaving their work and their father behind; for the call of Christ deserves an immediate, wholehearted response, not a slow and divided one.

Lord Jesus, as you walk by the sea, you call James and John, who are in the boat mending their nets with their father; and their response is immediate. You called them, and at once they left their father in the boat and went after you. There is no delay, no negotiating, no putting it off; when you called, they got up at once and followed. Your call met an immediate, wholehearted response. Show me how James and John responded to your call: immediately and wholeheartedly. They did not ask for time, or weigh the cost, or put it off until it was more convenient; they left at once. Their response was immediate, and it was whole: they left what they were doing and went after you without delay. When you called, they answered at once, with their whole selves, not hesitating or holding back. Take that immediate, wholehearted response to my heart, for I can respond to your call slowly, with delay and hesitation. When you call me to follow you, to some obedience, some step, I can put it off, negotiate, wait for a more convenient time, respond half-heartedly; but James and John left at once and followed. When you call me, keep me from delaying or hesitating, putting it off or holding back; help me respond immediately and wholeheartedly, Lord, as James and John left their nets at once and followed. Help me answer your call without delay, with my whole self.