The Calling of Jesus’ Disciples: A Radical Invitation to Follow

The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-27). Part of that image in the experience of the God-follower is the ability to understand who God is and to choose to follow and love him. The call to be a disciple is a call to willingly listen for and to follow God’s particular design for us.

Paul gives us an interesting picture of this when he writes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Just a few observations from this brief statement:

• We have this treasure: The beautiful, incredible, almost incomprehensible treasure that we carry as individuals who know the Bible’s story is truly invaluable. It glitters with hope and promise, and offers those who accept this free gift the opportunity to share it with others, leading to the experience of an eternity in heaven with God and with all who believe.

• We are the jars of clay: God creates individuals in the way that he wants to create them, to follow his plan and purpose. He shapes our hearts and minds to follow his purpose and to build his kingdom in the way he directs. This is our privilege and our joy. We as believers and disciples are not the stars in this scenario; rather, we reflect the beauty of the message we carry.

• The power is God’s, not ours: Being a clay jar to contain the treasure may not be the most appealing image, but it does help those of us who believe to understand that we are not at work in building the kingdom of God and spreading the treasure of his story; rather, God is the driving force and the power behind his message that we carry.

Modern disciples of God, as was the case with the disciples in the New Testament, serve a purpose outside of themselves.

Jesus’ first disciples seemed almost surprised that this important teacher would call them to follow him. They dropped their current preoccupations and followed immediately. They lived in to their identity as the clay jars that were made with God’s own hands to serve God’s mighty purposes in the world. These jars were then filled with the first-hand treasures of living with Jesus and knowing him perhaps better than anyone else, even though their time with him was relatively short.

The Calling of the First Disciples

The moment Jesus called his first disciples was not just a turning point in their lives—it was a declaration of a new kind of kingdom. It was a personal, radical, and transformative invitation to leave behind everything and follow the Messiah. The accounts in Matthew 4:18–22, Mark 1:16–20, and Luke 5:1–11 tell the same core story, yet each contributes unique insights into the power and purpose behind Jesus’ call.

Let’s explore this remarkable encounter and consider what it meant for the first disciples—and what it still means for us today.

Walking by the Sea: The Beginning of the Call

In both Matthew and Mark, the scene begins simply: Jesus is walking alongside the Sea of Galilee. This was no random stroll. Jesus, fresh from his baptism and temptation, had begun proclaiming the good news: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). Now Jesus seeks partners in this work.

He spots Simon (Peter) and Andrew, fishermen casting their net into the sea. He calls out to them:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19).

A few steps later, Jesus sees James and John, sons of Zebedee, mending their nets. He calls them too. And remarkably, they all leave everything—their nets, their boat, even their father—to follow him.

Why? What would compel four men to walk away from their livelihood with no explanation, no guarantee, and no apparent plan?

Luke’s Deeper Lens: Awe, Abundance, and Surrender

Luke gives us a richer version of the story. In Luke 5:1–11, the setting is the same—the shores of the Sea of Galilee. But Jesus doesn’t just call the disciples out of the blue; here Luke records that Jesus steps into their daily routine and transforms it.

Jesus climbs into Simon’s boat and asks him to push out a little from shore. From there, he teaches the crowd. Then, turning to Simon, he says something strange: “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). Simon objects—after all, they’ve fished all night and caught nothing. But still, he obeys: “Because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5).

What happens next is nothing short of miraculous. The nets are so full they begin to break. The disciples, shocked at the haul of fish, begin to call for help. Both boats fill to the point of sinking.

Simon Peter’s response? He doesn’t rejoice over this enormous haul of fish or the financial boom he has just captured. He doesn’t celebrate as a business owner or as someone who loves fishing. Rather, his first response is to fall at Jesus’ knees and cry: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)

It’s a moment of holy awareness; of seeing himself standing in the presence of the divine. This blue-collar business owner sees Jesus’ power and holiness—and in that light, he sees his own unworthiness.

Jesus’ response matches the responses of others who encounter the divine in scripture. He answers Peter’s fearful and humble response with a reassuring command, one that comes with a promise: “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:10).

This shift—from fishing for fish to fishing for people—is more than a clever metaphor. It’s a call to a whole new identity and mission.

The Radical Nature of the Call

What made this call so powerful?

1. It Was Personal

Jesus didn’t issue a general summons. He looked each man in the eye and said, “Follow me.” This was not a mass call or large movement; it was deeply individual. Jesus knew these men. He knew their names, their work, their struggles—and he still called them. The God made man knew that God had designed these individuals to start the important work that Jesus had come to initiate. He knew they would be the perfect clay jars to carry the treasure of his message of deliverance from sin.

In the same way, Jesus’ call to us is personal. He doesn’t just want workers in his kingdom; he wants you. He knows your name, your story, and your weaknesses. And he welcomes you into a relationship of listening and learning and growing, no matter what your starting point. Jesus still invites all who believe in his work to come to him. He still says, “Follow me.”

2. It Was Disruptive

These men who heard the call left everything behind. Simon and Andrew left their nets. James and John left their father and their hired men. They essentially walked away from the family business to tromp around after this teacher. Peter, that rough, tough, experienced fisherman, knew that this day would be life-changing. After experiencing this miraculous catch—the best fishing day of his life—literally walked away from it all.

Jesus’ call is a call for us to disrupt our comfort, our routine, and even our pursuit of success. He doesn’t promise an easy road. But he offers purpose—the kind of purpose we were designed to enact from before the creation of the world (see Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 29:11).

For us today, answering Jesus’ call often means walking away from things we value—security, reputation, or even our own carefully laid plans. But in doing so, we gain something infinitely greater: real life with Jesus. We get to live into the purpose that he has designed for us.

3. It Was Transformative

Jesus didn’t just invite the disciples to follow him; he promised to change them: “I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19). This was a redefinition of their identity. They were no longer just fishermen; they were called to become co-laborers in God’s mission.

When we follow Jesus, we don’t stay the same. He reshapes us—our goals, our passions, even our professions—to reflect his kingdom. We may be like the disciples themselves—filled with wonder at the potential and the promise of who Jesus is and what he has planned for us. But Jesus promises to equip us with everything we need to follow him.

What We Learn About Jesus

These passages reveal just as much about Jesus as they do about the disciples.

First, Jesus knows us and meets us where we are. Jesus didn’t wait for these men to clean up, become religious, or seek him out. He didn’t wait for them to pursue higher education before he called them to his side. Rather, he came to their place of work, stepped into their boat, and spoke their language. He does the same with us. He meets us in the ordinary and invites us into the extraordinary.

Second, Jesus demonstrates his authority and compassion. In Luke, Jesus doesn’t just teach; he performs a miracle that stuns these experienced fishermen. The power of his word is undeniable. And he uses that power, not to intimidate, but to invite. He welcomes these hard-working men into a life that he will shape and enable. He knows their potential, and he knows just what they will need to fulfill it.

Jesus’ holiness does not push people away. His call to life-changing purpose is designed not to intimidate them or make them feel unqualified. Rather, it draws them in, encouraging them in their potential even when they feel unworthy.

Third, Jesus gives his disciples a new purpose. Jesus doesn’t call the disciples to a vague spirituality. He gives them a very specific mission that they can understand immediately. It takes advantage of all of their experience, and defines for them what their new calling will consist of:  “I will send you out to fish for people.”

The calloused hands of these fishermen were the perfect hands to do the work that Jesus called them to do. For them and for us, following Jesus means stepping into his work—using our unique, God-given talents, passions, and abilities, to reach others, serve, and live out the message of the kingdom. That treasure that we have inside of us is intended to be spread around so that it will grow and grow.

From Nets to Nations: The Ongoing Call

Initially, these newly called disciples had no idea what their “yes” to Jesus would lead to. At this point in their new roles, they couldn’t have possibly imagined the miracles they’d come to witness, the teachings they’d hear, or the role they’d play in literally changing global history.

But it all began with a simple, faithful response: They left everything and followed him.

Their call mirrors ours. Jesus still walks along the shores of our lives—seeing our potential, understanding who we are and what we were made to do, interrupting our routines, confronting our doubts, and inviting us into something greater.

Maybe your boat isn’t on the Sea of Galilee. Maybe your “nets” are a career, a dream, or even a fear. But the call remains: “Follow me.”

Will we leave the comfort of the shore and step into the unknown with him?

The Cost and Joy of Discipleship

The call of Jesus is costly. It demands surrender, sacrifice, and faith. But it’s also the greatest invitation we’ll ever receive. The stories of these disciples as outlined in the Gospel accounts is instructive for us today. These men changed their lives at the sound of Jesus’ call. They didn’t turn back; instead, they listened and learned and acted, and were incredibly excited to be a part of the work of God in the world (see Matthew 13:16-20; Luke 10:17; John 6:68).

The same Jesus who called Peter, Andrew, James, and John calls you today—not because you’re qualified, but because he is. Not because you know it all, but because he does. Not because you’re holy, but because he makes you holy.

He says: “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will live for something greater.”

Will you drop your net?

Reflection Questions:

1. What are the “nets” in your life that Jesus may be calling you to leave behind?

2. How has Jesus met you in the ordinary places of your life?

3. In what ways can you respond more fully to Jesus’ call to follow him today?