CALL TO SERVE GOD
J.C.Cordova, D.Min., LCSW
Passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw Simon
and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for
they were fishermen. And Jesus saw them, ‘Follow me and I will
make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left
their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he
saw James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, who were
in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called
them; and they left their father Zeb'edee in the boat with the
hired servants, and followed him.
Mark 1:16-20
Background
Galilee is located on the north region of Israel well known in the New Testament as the
birth place of Jesus in Nazareth. It was the place where Jesus performed his first miracle in
Cana transforming water into wine at a wedding festivity.
Galilee was also a prosperous region mostly because of a rich lake covering an extension
of 13 miles long by 8 miles wide. Jewish historian Josephus says that when he was
governor of Galilee there were 330 fishing boats in the lake. Fishing was the main industry
in the area.
The region was composed of a mixed population. Perhaps because of this rich cultural
tradition, Galilee through time was crib to much political turmoil. This attitude and behavior
represented the feelings of Jews in general responding to their much suffering through
history at the hands of dominating tyrants. By then, the people of the entire nation were
anxiously looking for the Messiah, a God sent leader whose work would be to liberate the
nation for good from oppression and restore Israel to earlier glorious times perhaps during
the reign of King David.
In fact, through time several so-called messiahs or liberators had risen and developed
sizable followings. Around the time of Jesus, one such person was Judas the Galilean. He
started a rebellion against Roman taxation which ended in disaster. After his death by
crucifixion, Judas’ sons continued the rebellion and ultimately they too were crucified by
the Romans.
Thus, when Jesus appeared on the scene, Galilee and the rest of the country were ready
to hear him out and determine who he was. It turned out that he was a son of the house of
David. In principle, Jesus fit the bill. He became very popular and soon had a great
following, as the four gospels show. Through several short stories, Mark was the first writer
to give an account of Jesus actions.
The Organization
Jesus began his ministry around the northwest corner of the Lake of Galilee the first order
of business for Jesus was to develop an organization. Going about the lake, Jesus called
his first four disciples. To Simon and Andrew, two fishermen, he said: “Follow me and I will
make you fishers of men.” Further on, he saw two other fishermen, James and John, and
also called them to be with him.
The calling and the response obeyed to an old rabbinical custom Jesus followed where
rabbis invited ordinary people to go with them as disciples or trainees. The expectations
were for these men to carry on the work of the masters after their passing. And so it was
with Jesus.
What was in the mind of the men responding to a call concerning rabbinical discipleship?
Who was this young rabbi and what his agenda? The major social concern at the time was
the presence in the land of the Roman oppressors. The pressing question was how the
Jewish people would get rid of this domination.
The prophets of old were rabbis whose function was social. These men were concern with
calling the people to be loyal to God, adhere to the teachings of the law and live in
harmony with others. The gospel according to Matthew expressed clearly and without a
doubt Jesus loyalty to God, devotion to the law and the preaching of the prophets (see
Matthew 5:11-19).
Jesus function throughout his ministry was social in nature. Intervention in individual life
was incidental acts of benevolence serving to call attention to a larger concern. His
concern was with proclaiming the message of old calling the people to get with God and
live accordingly.
In fact, there was a political organization called Zealots. The organization appears to have
started during the War of the Jews in the Second Century spearheaded by the Maccabees
and Judas the Galilee. The Maccabees were a family of priests who revolted against the
Romans.
The Zealots were motivated by their zeal for the Torah or traditions of the Jews calling for
religious purity. The zealots justifiably so have been called freedom fighters by some
because of their efforts to overthrow the Romans by force and return Israel’s government
to God.
All that zealots needed to revolt in mass against the Romans was a capable leader.
Certainly, Jesus could be the leader the zealots were looking for. The call offered these
men a glimmer of hope for the liberation everyone had been waiting for.
Eventually, Jesus called twelve disciples, apparently representing the twelve tribes of
Israel. Their names were:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and
Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of
Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas ["the son" is
interpolated] of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
(Luke 6:12-16, RSV)
Some of the disciples were Zealots. Simon was called a Zealot (see Luke 6:15; Acts). 1:
13). Jude was called Judas the Zealot. Judas Iscariot is said to have been a Zealot whose
betrayal of Jesus was intended to force him to take armed action against the Romans.
Peter was a Galilean through and through, a man of quick temper and action ready to
work for the liberation of Israel. Peter exhibited the characteristics of a Zealot.
Was Jesus himself a Zealot? If the personality of a Zealot consisted of being a religious
fundamentalist, as the prophets of old and John the Baptizer were, ready to work for the
liberation of Israel and its exaltation, then Jesus no doubt was a Zealot. Further, the
incident in the temple, where Jesus over-turned the tables of the money changers and
threw them out by force, as well as the many encounters he had with the religious leaders
conforming to Roman standards point to Jesus strong zeal for God’s expectations and his
perhaps being a Zealot
Jesus call was to Action the disciples were to enlist men. Enlist men for what? The answer
would soon become evident as Jesus declared that the time had come. God was present
in full force and ready to free His people through His leadership. So, the order of the day
was to join ranks with Jesus.
The disciples were fast learners and prompt to act. Soon, many other disciples
participated with Jesus in establishing Christendom. Today, two thousand years later, 33
percent of the world population call themselves Christians.
Implications
Living in the democratic countries of the west in an atmosphere of freedom, surrounded by
complete comfort, we have come to believe that our function is to attend church worship
services, engage in repeated Bible study and prayer, care for our families and have an
over-all sound attitude toward others. This is highly commendable. God expects us to do
so.
In addition, what can we modern day Christian learn from the call to commitment?
What are God’s expectations from us today? Giving our advance in science, technology,
commerce, industry and general knowledge, would you agree with me that much more is
expected of us?
The gospel of God has a major social dimension. It is our responsibility to put into practice
the old Jewish principle of dtikkun-olam (repairing the world). Much misguided teaching
goes on about restraining from getting involved in social action. This unfortunate teaching
has kept many from participating in much needed reparation of the world.
Jesus and his initial disciples began a movement that changed the world. Christians for a
long time have been active in pursuing God’s expectations. Should present day believers
actively participate as well? It is time that we review our divine directives and act upon
findings?
On Sunday morning worship, we invoke prayers of confession such as the following:
Righteous God, we confess our easy compliance with the ways of the world. We are
happy to accept advantages for ourselves that are unavailable to many. We do not
call oppressors to account or recognize our own oppressive ways. We pass by many
who suffer, as if their suffering were no concern of ours. Our practice of the faith
gives neither offense not inspiration. We are troubled when we see ourselves this
way. Redeem us, 0 God! (see The Hymnbook 1955 for similar versions).
But are we ready to follow up on our verbal commitments? I suspect that our routinary
reading these confessions are socially expedient rituals rather than serious pledges.
But do we hear the call to serve God by serving others? Perhaps we confuse worship with
service. We go to church to worship together with other believers. Then, we leave the
house of worship to serve. It is high time for us Christians to participate in the national
discourse loudly and clearly. Our Judeo-Christian values most be heard in full force. We
must work to stop the moral slide toward indecency and general deviant behavior. Either
we respond now and start working toward healing our societies in the west or be ready to
live in a changed world full of unacceptable