On Being Called By God

Similar to how each of the four gospels differ regarding Jesus’ first acts of ministry (as explored in the last reflection), the formation stories regarding the first disciples also varies. There is much to learn from this and far more to discover than this one short reflection could possibly exhaust. Yet, let’s explore a few takeaways by looking at how the most famous disciple, Simon Peter, came to follow Jesus.

In the initial gospel narrative attributed to Mark, the call of Peter and his brother Andrew is quick and simple. Jesus walks by the fishermen, tells them to follow him and become fishers of people. And they do so immediately. The gospel of Matthew presents this story similarly, succinct. (Mark 1:14-20; Matthew 4:12-22)

Luke, the most journalistic of the four gospels, goes on to bring some clarity to this seemingly sudden faith. Here, we are first introduced to Simon Peter by way of his mother-in-law, whom Jesus heals of illness. Later on comes the most often told story of Peter’s calling, when Jesus encourages the fisherman, after a tiring and unsuccessful fishing excursion, to set sail once more. When they do, they end up catching an astounding amount of fish. It is after this that Peter and his fellow fishermen leave their nets to follow Christ. (Luke 4:38-5:11)

In the gospel to John, meanwhile, Simon Peter’s brother Andrew and another unnamed disciple (likely John the gospel writer) hear Jesus proclaimed as the Lamb of God by John the Baptist. Andrew and the other disciple visit with Jesus overnight. The next day, Andrew goes and finds his brother Peter, telling him that Jesus is the Messiah. Before you know it, a small group of their close friends also gather around Jesus and a new movement begins. (John 1: 29-51)

Now, we should not get tripped up over the discrepancies of these various accounts, and instead see these various viewpoints as a reminder that all come to follow Jesus by way of many different introductions. For some, it is as simple as hearing the plain Good News. Upon hearing it they simply follow. This is what is presented by Mark and Matthew. For others, they must see the good works of the Holy Spirit working through those of good faith before they can also believe, follow, and do similar good and godly deeds. This is Luke’s message, which throughout his writings (the books of Luke and Acts) is consistently as much about the work of the Holy Spirit as it is about the work of Jesus. And for others, it is through connections with those whom they trust that they come to discover faith in Jesus Christ. In John’s writing we see this reality, as this story (along with many others throughout this particular gospel) hinges on hospitality and friendship.

For those of us who strive to follow Jesus we should not be surprised by any of this. We too were drawn into the call of Christ by different means. Perhaps it was through an early childhood faith, or experiences growing up within a church community. Or, maybe it was the shinning example of a friend or relative that made us want to have a similar faith. Or, perhaps it was through a simple, mystical act like communion, baptism, prayer, or music that we found ourselves welcomed into the presence of Christ. Or, maybe it was as simple as falling in love with the Gospel as told by the original Good News storytellers we call Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John.

As the movement Jesus started continues to roll on in our world today, our task as current disciples is to continue the legacy of these gospel writers. They wrote so that the readers and hearers of these texts might come to have a faith in Jesus Christ and do the will of God here and now. We have the responsibility to welcome others into this faith movement, remembering that the entryway for following Jesus is different for each person we encounter—just like it was for you and me, and every disciple since the first followers nearly two millennia ago. Let us be responsive to those around us, to what they need to see and hear from us, so that they too might follow the way of Jesus and together we may bring about the Eternal Kingdom—a better world here and now, and to come.