Jesus, the Disciple Maker

Jesus not only gave the Great Commission, but He was a living example of doing the Great Commission. Our Lord was on “mission” 24/7. He was always about the Father’s business. For instance, we read in Mark 1:16-18, ““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. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.”” Notice what Jesus did in this passage of Scripture.

First, the text says Jesus saw. He “saw” Simon and Andrew (v. 16). Jesus saw beyond the surface, and with eyes of compassion, He reached out to the brothers. This was His pattern. In the Gospel of John, Jesus encouraged the disciples, saying, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” (John 4:35). The word “already” is ἤδη (ēdē), also translated “even now.” Right now! Meaning the fields are white and are ready to harvest right now. We need to see the lostness of man and Jesus as the only solution for sin. Unfortunately, we aren’t looking, and as a result, we aren’t seeing. The movement of Jesus in the New Testament always began with what He saw, and then He responded with action. We don’t move because we don’t see. God help us to see what Jesus sees.

Second, the text says Jesus invited the brothers to “come” (v. 17). Not work, not join the Church, but simply “come, follow me.” Why? Because it’s all about a relationship with Jesus, the Messiah. Follow “me,” not the 613 Old Testament laws. But simply, “Come and follow me.” Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Getting saved is having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, I urge you to “come.” Come to Christ. And come to Him now.

Third, the text says, “I will send you out to fish for people” (v. 17). In other words, I want you to be involved in the mission, too. I want you to fish…for people. The mission is about reaching people. In the very next chapter, Levi hosts a “sinner dinner” in his home. He introduced “many” of his old friends to Jesus (Mark 2:15). The Pharisees couldn’t believe Jesus would eat with tax collectors and sinners. How would Jesus respond? He explained, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). People without Christ need Jesus. He deeply desires for you to join Him on the mission, too. Will you join the mission?

Fourth, the text says they “followed him” (Mark 1:18). But when did they “follow him?” The text says, “at once” (v. 18a). In other words, they did not procrastinate, linger or delay. But immediately… “at once” they followed Him. Why do we procrastinate? Why do we put off the decision to follow Christ? Perhaps we are holding onto something in our past life and we don’t want to let it go. This is not true of Simon and Andrew. The Bible says, “they left their nets” and followed Him. The nets represent everything to do with their past life. They were career fisherman. But they left, ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning “to leave behind,” their nets and followed Him. Don’t hold on to something that will keep you from coming to Jesus. Just come. Come just as you are.

Yes, Jesus was always on mission. He was always around people, and people were reaching out to Him. Jesus was a disciple-maker because of what He “saw” (v. 16). He “saw” Simon and Andrew (v. 16). He saw their lostness. Then the text reminds us that Jesus invited the brothers to “come” (v. 17). Jesus issued a gospel invitation to come, to come by faith and receive the Messiah. Then Jesus said, “I will send you out to fish for people” (v. 17). I want you to join Me in My mission. I want you to fish/reach people. Give the gospel and bring people to Christ. And finally, the Bible says they “followed him” (Mark 1:18a). But the story is not over. Why? Because Jesus was a disciple-maker.

At the end of the chapter, Mark completes the story (Mark 1:35-38). Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up from bed and went to a private place to pray. Simon and his “companions” came looking for Him. The Bible says they found Jesus, and with great frustration they said, “Everyone is looking for you!” How would Jesus reply? The disciple-maker said, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” (Mark 1: 35-38). Why did He come? To preach the Gospel “somewhere else.” Jesus was ready to move on and advance the Gospel. Why? Because the mission was not over. I want to preach “there also.” But the question remains… will you join Him on His mission? Be a disciple-maker.