Immediately

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him. – Matthew 4v18-20

I like the reality of the word of God. I like the insight into everyday living. I like to see how people like you and me responded when they met the Saviour.

Shortly after His baptism Jesus started gathering His team. He walked by the Sea of Galilee and saw to brothers who were fishermen. Simon Peter and Andrew were just casting their nets into the sea for another haul of fish. It was their livelihood. They would take the fish to market to sell them. This is how they fed and supported their families.

But then Jesus walked up to them. If they knew Him at all they would have just known Him as the carpenter in Nazareth. He was probably a stranger so it must have startled them when He told them ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’

What in the world could He mean by that? Who was He to ask them? Why would He ask them to forsake their livelihood to fish for men?

If they had any of these questions in mind it certainly is not clear to us – ‘immediately, at once, straightaway they dropped their fishing nets and followed Him.’

So how do we do when Jesus calls us? Are we willing to immediately put away our various nets and follow Him or do we, like Elisha, think we have all kinds of things to sort out before we go?

Immediately, how many of us can say that we obey that way?