We are in the Gospel of Mark this week. Pay attention to the significant differences between Luke, Matthew, and Mark. Mark starts off like a starter’s pistol in a sprint. He doesn’t seem to slow down for anything in the first few chapters.

But I want him to slow it up. I want him to explain to me how Jesus can walk by Simon and Andrew, call out to them, and they just drop what they’re doing. Being fishermen, they weren’t fabulously wealthy, but they had good paying jobs. They weren’t leaving because the economy was bad. It was a family business, so leaving the family business was a sign of dishonor to the parents. But they drop what they’re doing to follow Jesus.

If someone is going to give up family and career, it’s usually after they’ve considered the teacher they want to follow. Jesus has probably been around enough that these men have been paying attention to him. No other rabbi has called them to follow. Their hearts are yearning for… something. And when Jesus calls, they know something is different.

What Mark will show is they basically have no idea what they’ve jumped into… at least most of the time. But, jump in they do.

Does Jesus have our attention in the same way?