Wednesday 30 November 2011
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake - for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him." (vv. 18-22)
Background
Working in public relations, it is often said that "it's notwhat you know, it's who you know". It's all about networking,chumming up to those who are influential and well-connected. If youwork your way into the right circles, you might find that peoplewant to know what you think, you get invited to the right meetingsand parties, and your career prospects improve.
In the PR world, there are two kinds of folk: people and people who'know people'. You're only as significant as the networks of whichyou're a part.
I often wonder whether Britain's consumerist culture has infectedour relationships. When you're measured by how many 'friends' youhave on Facebook or followers on Twitter, by how well connected youare ... what happens to real relationship, to real friendship? Whathappens to the people who don't 'know people'? What happens tothose who are on the fringes, gradually being pushed out andexcluded from our clubs, our friendship groups and churches?
In a way, being a follower of Jesus is a little bit like working inPR - it's not about what you know, it's about who you know. Youdon't have to be au fait with the intricacies of Christian doctrineor understand every letter of Scripture. It's about knowing andbelieving in Jesus - the rest just falls into place.
But there's one huge difference - Jesus never bought into the liethat people are only as important as their contacts book. Jesus hasalways been subversive. He doesn't care who you know or whereyou're from. He doesn't care whether you have five Facebook friendsor five million.
Today's passage is about a definitive point in Jesus' ministry -the choosing of his disciples. He could have consulted with thePharisees, asking them about the holiest people they knew. He couldhave asked his mum and dad which of their friends werewell-connected in the synagogue. He could have consulted his friendlist on Facebook ... well, maybe not but you see what I mean.
Instead he chose strangers: fishermen, ordinary men of no specialstatus or celebrity, men who left everything to follow him.
In Christianity there can be no cliques, no chosen groups, nomembership-only clubs. There's room for everyone, and that doesn'tjust include those on the fringes of society - it starts withthem.
To Ponder
How do you choose your friends?
Who is on the fringe of your community?
Do you follow Jesus? How do you live your lifedifferently because of that decision?