What is the Christian life all about? This is a question that is sometimes asked as one struggles to understand the purpose, meaning and direction of one’s life. Jesus made it clear that the Christian is called to a life of discipleship.

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.  (Mark 1:15-20 NIV)

One of the first things Jesus did in his life and ministry was to proclaim the good news of the kingdom and gather to him those who would follow him as his disciples. And when he first called Simon and Andrew to follow him he made it clear his intention to make them into “fishers of men.”

Jesus showed himself to be very intentional in the way he called his disciples, taught them what the Christian life involved and trained them for ministry so that they would eventually continue the work of proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.

And when he had completed his ministry on earth and was about to ascend to heaven he reaffirmed this intention with the instruction, which we have termed the Great Commission:

continue >