Many people today would say that to be a Christian means that you believe in Jesus, or that it means you are nice to your neighbor. Yet when Jesus encountered a group of fishermen by the Sea of Galilee, he did not say to them “Believe in me,” or “Be nice.” He said, “Follow me.” (Mark 1:17) Faith involves a journey with Christ – where we are trusting Christ, growing in Christ, being guided by Christ, and joining in the ministry of Christ. It is in that journey that we discover our purpose and destiny in life, and we experience the fullness of God’s blessing.

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The good news is that Jesus is calling us! The fact that Jesus called fishermen – lowly figures on the first-century social scale – means that no one is too lowly for God. We are invited right now to follow as Jesus’ disciples. May we answer His call!

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
John 1:35–46
Luke 5:1–11
Mark 1:16–20

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.