Simon and Andrew - Mark 1:16

Mark wrote how Jesus, “was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel”, and in chapter one and verse sixteen of his book, Mark wrote how Jesus, “saw Simon and Andrew his brother” where we read:

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

The verse reads, “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea:” Mark began words, “now as he walked” which means “moreover and as Jesus made His way, progressed and made due use of opportunities” “by the sea of Galilee” which means “beside the large body of water known as the sea of Galilee which means circuit”, “he saw Simon” or “Jesus perceived, noticed, discovered and discerned Simon whose name means a rock or stone” “and Andrew his brother” which means “and Andrew whose name means manly who was Simon's brother” “casting a net” or “throwing or letting go of a fishing net” “into the sea” which refers to “into the large body of water known as the sea of Galilee”. Mark shared how Jesus was walking by the “sea of Galilee” and “saw” “Simon and Andrew” throwing their “net” into the “sea”.

The verse continues, “ for they were fishers.” Mark added the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that”, “they were fishers” which means “Simon and Andrew were sailors and fishermen”. Mark shared how “Simon and Andrew” were “casting their net” because they were “fishermen”.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we notice how Jesus observed “common fishermen” throwing their net into the sea. This is often the way Jesus “calls” people into His ministry. He meets them where they are. “Simon and Andrew” were “seamen and fishermen”, and their regular duties were to “cast their net” into the sea. We shall learn more about them later in our study, but for now, let us be aware that Jesus “walks” through the world looking for those whom He may call. Since God loves all people and desires to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, let everyone reading these words submit their “hearts, souls, minds and wills” to the one who “calls” people into the “Kingdom of God”.

Next time Mark tells how Jesus told Simon and Andrew, “Come after me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".