Lesson 5: Called in the Middle of the Ordinary
Have you ever felt completely out of your depth trying something new? Maybe it felt like everyone else had a natural talent for it, while you... well, you just didn't. It can be frustrating, even make you want to give up entirely on that particular pursuit. Sometimes, we feel similarly unqualified or unprepared for the things life—or even God—seems to call us toward.
When Jesus began calling his first disciples, as recorded in Matthew chapter 4, he didn't seek out the religious scholars or the community leaders. He walked along the Sea of Galilee and found ordinary fishermen—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—right in the middle of their workday, casting and mending nets.
Isn't it encouraging that Jesus doesn't primarily look for the most qualified, polished, or 'ready' individuals? He seems more interested in finding those who are simply willing. He met these men where they were, doing their everyday jobs, and issued a simple, life-altering invitation: "Follow me."
This encounter reveals three key aspects about what it means to respond to Jesus.: the Call, the Cost, and the Commission.
1. The Call: An Invitation to Surrender
First, notice that Jesus initiates the call. He sought them out. His "Follow me" wasn't just a suggestion; it was an invitation into a relationship, into a journey of obedience, trusting the One who leads. He didn't give them a five-year plan or a detailed itinerary. He simply offered His presence and His leadership.
Think about your own life. Have you sensed that gentle (or maybe not-so-gentle) nudge from God? A call to step closer, to trust Him more deeply, perhaps in a specific area you've been holding back? He often meets us right in the middle of our ordinary lives, inviting us to walk with Him.
2. The Cost: Leaving the Nets Behind
The disciples' response was immediate: "At once they left their nets and followed him." James and John even left their boat and their father. Those nets and boats weren't just tools; they represented their livelihood, their security, their identity. Leaving them behind was an act of profound surrender.
Following Jesus always involves leaving something. It might not mean physically quitting our jobs or abandoning our families, but it does mean putting Him first above all else. It requires reprioritizing our time, finances, relationships, ambitions, and comforts around Him. What "nets" might be entangling you right now? What securities or attachments compete for first place in your heart?
It's like wanting the whole map with every turn detailed before we start a journey. We often crave that certainty! But following Jesus often feels more like trusting the GPS for only the next instruction, step-by-step, without seeing the full route ahead. It requires trusting His goodness and His plan, even when we don't have all the answers. It’s a call to trust Him, not the map. The amazing thing is, what we gain in Him—purpose, peace, eternal life, His presence—is infinitely greater than anything we leave behind.
3. The Commission: A New Purpose
Jesus didn't just call them from something; He called them to something new. "Follow me," He said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." He took their existing skills and repurposed them for a higher calling – participating in His mission to reach others with His love and truth.
This is a crucial part of following Jesus: we're invited to join His mission. We become witnesses, sharing the hope we've found. Maybe you don't feel like a natural "evangelist." That's okay! Being a witness isn't always about polished speeches; often, it's about consistently living a life transformed by His grace, letting others see the difference He makes. It's about sharing your story, pointing people to Him, and trusting that He equips those He calls. We don't have to be perfect or have all the answers; we just need to be willing to let His light shine through us. Remember those "unqualified" fishermen? Spending time with Jesus transformed them into courageous witnesses.
Are You Ready to Respond?
Maybe today, right now, you sense Jesus calling you. Perhaps it's a call to initial faith, to finally say "yes" to Him. Maybe it's a call to a deeper level of surrender, to let go of a specific "net" you've been clinging to. Or perhaps it's a nudge to step out in faith and share His hope with someone else.
The call is simple: "Follow Me." It requires surrender, it comes with a cost, but it leads to a purpose far greater than we could ever imagine on our own. What will your response be?
Questions for Discussion
When have you felt most unqualified or out of your depth? How does knowing Jesus calls ordinary people impact that feeling?
How does the idea that Jesus seeks willingness over qualification change how you view your own abilities or readiness to serve Him
What does being "willing" to follow Jesus look like in your daily life this week?
Can you recall a time you sensed God initiating something new or calling you closer? What was your initial reaction?
What specific "nets" (e.g., security, comfort, ambition, relationships, habits) do you find hardest to loosen your grip on to follow Jesus more fully?
How comfortable are you with trusting God step-by-step, without seeing the whole picture? What helps or hinders your trust?
How can you apply the idea of being a "fisher of people" in your unique context (work, family, community) using the gifts God has given you?
What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing your faith or story? How does the promise that God "equips the called" encourage you?
In what ways have you seen "spending time with Jesus" bring transformation, either in your life or someone else's?
What is one practical step you feel prompted to take in response to Jesus' call, cost, or commission?
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