Don’t Recruit Those Laying on Their Beach Towels
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. Mark 1:16-20 ESV
Jesus recruits the Barjona and Zebedee brothers after having spent a year off and on with them in various contexts (see John 1-4). These men were previously disciples of John the Baptist and for a year had left John to be with Jesus while they continued their fishing business partnership (see Luke 5:10). Now, Jesus recruits them to change their vocation and follow Him full-time as ‘fishers of men’ in training. Note the characteristics of these men.
First, these men were already leading industrious, productive lives. They had formed a business partnership with hired help serving on the Zebedee boat. They were actively working in their fishing business, leading productive lives. Peter was already married. Jesus did not recruit those laying on their beach towels, working on their tans, looking for something to do! He chose men who were moving forward in life.
These men had already demonstrated a willingness to obey God and a willingness to sacrifice for Him. They had left, at least occasionally, their families and fishing to follow John the Baptist. They then spent time with Jesus for a year, primarily in and around Jerusalem and Judea. They were willing to stand for righteousness and be identified with John the Baptist, a person who was not well-liked by the religious leaders. They had some emerging demonstrated potential, not just potential.
They demonstrated faith and courage to join with the Baptist rather than conform to the religious norms. Their hunger for spiritual righteousness was observed by Jesus for a year before He asked them to lay down their nets and follow Him. It was an incremental and intentional recruit to become world-changers with Him.
In your recruiting of world-changers, look for people with demonstrated potential who are pursuing productive lives. Avoid those who are not!
Developing Kingdom Leaders - Tom Yeakley 