What can a study of St. Mark’s Gospel tell Christians about the nature of discipleship?
What can a study of St. Mark’s Gospel tell Christians about the nature of discipleship?
While Jesus walked along Lake Galilee he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew. They were catching fish with a net and Jesus said to them “Come with me, and I will teach you how to catch people”. Mark16: 16-20. They left their nets and boats at once and followed Jesus. As he continued walking Jesus came across two other brothers, James and John, sons of Zebedee. He called them and they got up, left their father Zebedee and hired men in the boats and continued with Jesus. Later on Jesus was at Lake Galilee again, teaching a crowd, as he walked along he saw a tax collector, Levi, Son of Alphaeus, sitting in his office. Jesus said to Levi “Follow me” Mark2: 13-14, before Levi got up and followed him. Jesus went up a hill and called to himself the men he wanted. They came to him and he chose twelve, who he named apostles. There were some surprises in the group as Jesus chose ordinary people who were not religious to follow him. Not many people would have liked Levi, as he was a tax collector, and people thought he would take more money than they owed, as there was never ever records of money owed.
