Chosen by God

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”*

One of the highlights of our trip to Israel in 2009 was being able to spend time in Tiberius, on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee. Because the window of our hotel room faced the water, I was delighted to see the sunrise one morning when I woke up early and peeked through the heavy curtains. It was especially beautiful and memorable to be at the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent so much time ministering to the people who lived in the area.

Before Al and I left for the trip, he told our friend, Mark Wright, that we were going to walk everywhere Jesus walked.

“No, Al,” Mark corrected with a laugh. “You aren’t going to walk on the water!” 

Actually, we did walk on the water and even danced a little too—on the deck of a “fishing boat” for tourists! On the morning I woke up early, our tour group met for breakfast and then walked down to the water front where we met a couple of men who welcomed us aboard their boat.

Although equipped with a motor, this vessel was similar to those used by fishermen on the Sea of Galilee during the time of Christ. Although called a sea, it is actually a large lake which is inhabited by tilapia, carp, sardines and other fresh water fish. These have contributed to a prosperous fishing industry over the centuries.

After a time, the boat slowed down so that one of the men could demonstrate using the traditional method of using a circular net to catch fish. Although he threw the net out and drew it back into the boat several times, it always came up empty. It looked like very hard work and an unreliable way to make a living.

“Come on,” encouraged one of the men, “join your hands in a circle and we’ll show you how to dance the Hava Nagila.”  We circled the deck of the boat, singing, laughing and kicking up our feet! A joyful time!

 Among Jesus’ first followers were fishermen: Simon Peter, his brother Andrew and James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who was also a fisherman by trade. They were real people, with frustrations, problems and needs, chosen by Jesus to change the world.

The customary procedure of Hebrew students who continued in their studies was for them to select the Rabbi they wanted for their teacher. Instead, Jesus, the Messiah, chose them.

The men must have wondered why they were the chosen ones? There were certainly people around who were more successful, educated and refined. And how did Jesus expect them to change the world? Yet, after being with Him for only three years, they were to become His witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout all of Israel, in Samaria and to “all the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) In spite of all of their questions, they left everything behind, trusted in Jesus and followed Him.

After spending the first week in Israel, most of our tour group continued on to Greece and Turkey, where we saw many signs of the impact made by the Apostle Paul and other disciples in Asia Minor.

As we walked through the ruins of Ephesus in Turkey, our guide pointed out a pavement stone in an area that would have been an outdoor marketplace. Engraved on the stone was a circle bisected by three lines, a symbol used by Christian shop owners to identify themselves. The Greek letters IXOYE (ichthus) were all contained within that symbol. Ichthus, “fish” in Greek, is an acrostic: (I) Jesus, (X) Christ, (O) God’s…(Y) Son, (E) Savior.

In times of persecution, they would use this symbol or that of a fish to identify themselves. It wasn’t easy following Jesus. Nor is it today. But He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us and is still calling us to reach the world with the message of salvation.

Who are we? Just people, ordinary people like the disciples. Yet, He has chosen us! Can we ignore His call? Dare we?

“God loves to see in me, not His servant, but Himself who serves all.” Tagore (Fireflies)

*Mark 1: 16-18 NIV