Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:14-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God,
Verse 15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
Devotion
Being "fishers of men"¯ has been a common theme of evangelism throughout church history. Today of course, we would use inclusive language and say, fishers of people¯. While some skeptics may rail about churches going on fishing¯ expeditions and getting people hooked on religion, I hear in this passage Jesus skillfully demonstrating how well he reads his audience¯, using language that connects with the people he is addressing.
The Bible is filled with pictorial language - visual and poetic. What I especially hear Jesus saying is to turn the disciples' occupation into vocation. The followers of Jesus are to remain in their occupations, but now what they do will be caught up in a more significant and urgent mission.
In his high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that his disciples would not be taken out of this world, but remain in it to transform it as the salt of the earth and leaven in the loaf, blooming where they're planted.
Prayer
Dear Lord, you visit me where I am -- my home, my place of work, my every day. Help me to be your on-site¯ disciple, serving the needs of others by being a doer of the word. Amen.