Hearts Afire (THEY MET JESUS) (Volume 3)
By Katheryn Maddox Haddad
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1—ZEBEDEE
Empty Net Syndrome
Who in their right mind would want to live up north in the province of Galilee, that crossroads to the pagan east and Rome? Too remote from holy Jerusalem.
Still, Zebedee has the world by the tail. Ah, yes. Everything going according to plan. It’s that old pioneer spirit that runs through his veins. Got his own business started, much to the approval of his in-laws, especially Joseph the carpenter. Eventually, he is able to hire a few hands. When his sons are old enough, he apprentices them. Now he’s just taken on two new partners.
Soon Zebedee will be putting up a new sign for his business: Zebedee and Sons. Eventually, he’ll hand his entire business over to James and John and retire in comfort.
Late Spring AD 27
Capernaum, Province of Galilee, Palestine
Jesus has gone as far as Jerusalem and come back from his first preaching tour. Jesus is in Capernaum a few days with his family and aides looking around. They are now walking back to the house Jesus’ parents chose.
“I think you made the right choice, Jesus,” Peter says.
“But it’s so far from Jerusalem,” James objects.
“Maybe that’s the idea,” Andrew replies. “We wouldn’t be seen as a threat.” He picks up a pebble and throws it at a post ahead.
“Yeah, we’ll have the element of surprise on our side when Jesus leads us in the final takeover,” John explains.
“Well, maybe Philip and I can find work here,” Nathaniel muses aloud. “What do you think, Philip?”
“I’m not sure, but you probably can, Nathaniel. Your skills in making rugs and tapestries can be used most places.”
“Now that Peter and I have moved here from Bethsaida, it would be convenient for us. Philip, you can move in with Peter and I so your expenses will be low while you scout out horse training opportunities nearby,” says Andrew.
“Then it is settled,” Jesus says. “Capernaum will be my headquarters.”
“Tomorrow, we’ll check in with Zebedee and tell him what is going on,” Peter says.
“And assure him we will hold up our end of the new fishing partnership,” Andrew adds. “Yes, we’ll be gone with Jesus sometimes, but we’ll go only when business is slow. Isn’t that right Jesus?”
Jesus does not answer.
Sea of Galilee Between Capernaum and Bethsaida
James and John work with their father on boat repairs.
Zebedee, though he has short arms and legs, has a long torso and is surprisingly strong and agile working on his boats.
He stops nailing and looks up at James.
“I’m glad you’ve settled back down, Son,” he says with an edge of sternness in his voice. “You and your brother are going to have to run the business after I retire.”
Zebedee sets his strong jaw and glares at his son. “You cannot go off gallivanting around the country with Jesus any more. You are needed here at home in the business. I need you; Jesus does not.”
He looks back down at his work. He cannot afford to lose this challenge of wills with his sons.
“You’re right, Father,” James replies.
“Are you sure this time, James?”
“I’m sure.”
“No excuses the next time you want to take off?”
“No excuses.”
Jesus’ influence is having too much of an impact on my sons’ lives. This has got to stop.
“You know, your mother has always dreamed you would go into politics someday, James. Maybe you could run for mayor of Bethsaida someday. You could still keep up your schedule of night fishing. It might even help our business.”
“Father,” John interrupts. “When are we going to get the sails fixed for this boat? Can’t keep putting it off.”
Zebedee glares at his second son. “You know the fishing hasn’t been good lately,” He hits a nail with his hammer especially hard. “Now get back to work!” he shouts, annoyed at his momentum with James being interrupted.
“Hey, Zebedee! Got time for a break? Let your boys take over. All your problems will be there when you get back.”
“Ovadia, you’re right, of course. Take over, boys. And no slacking while I’m gone.” He pushes back the fringe of hair that has worked its way across his bald head and into his eyes, and pulls at his long pointed nose.
The two older men walk up from the shore to where Ovadia has left his gear and the fresh water skins. They each take a swig, then settle down on their haunches on the ground.
“Well, how’s business? Any better than mine?”
“I see the handwriting on the wall, Ovadia.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wasn’t born yesterday. They’re getting the fever.”
“Your sons? What fever?”
“This time next year they’ll be gone.”
Silence.
“All they ever talk about is Jesus. He’s going to make it to the top they say. They claim they’ll be there to rise with him.”
“That’s just talk, Zebedee. You know how young folks are. It’s just pipe dreams.”
“No, it’s more than that. Have you heard Jesus speak?”
“Who in these parts hasn’t? He preaches at the synagogue, in the city square, even down here by the shore sometimes. You know that.”
“He’s young like my sons. Actually, he’s my wife’s nephew. But he speaks with authority. He’s different. Sometimes he speaks like an old man—a wise old man. That scares me.”
“Are those rumors of miracles getting to you, Zebedee?”
“My boys saw the miracle at Cana personally. They wouldn’t lie to me, Ovadia.”
“What does your wife think about all this?”
“Salome agrees with the boys. She thinks Jesus has the potential to overthrow our government with the help of God and become our next king. She thinks our boys should be in on it if the opportunity is offered. That’s three against one.”
“Well, back to work. Hope everything works out for you, Zebedee.”
“Yeah. Say a prayer for me.”
“Yup.”
Zebedee walks back down to his boats.
“Mother has just left,” John says. “She brought us some lunch for tonight.”
“Middle-of-the-night lunches. That’s some life,” James mumbles as he double checks the nets with his brother before casting off.
“Sir Zebedee, Samuel had to take off tonight. He’s fighting a bad cough.” It is Shabbat, one of Zebedee’s hired crewmen.
“Is everyone else here?” Zebedee says, looking around through the long shadows which will soon emerge with night-time darkness.
“Four of us, plus your sons,” Shabbat replies, “and the crewmen in the other boat.”
“Yeah, Andrew and Peter,” Shagra, another servant, replies. “They’ve already gone out.”
“Okay, let’s get these nets untangled and loaded so we can get out there and join them. It’ll be night soon.”
The sun is red on the horizon. The waters are calm. Surely fishing will now go well.
“Wait!”
Zebedee stops at the sound of the voice and sighs. It’s that Jesus again. They all look in Jesus’ direction.
“Hey, what are Andrew and Peter doing with you?” John asks. “We thought they cast off half an hour ago.”
“Well, we did. We weren’t very far out when Jesus called us back to shore. We thought there was some kind of emergency,” Andrew explains. “When we got back to shore, Jesus said he was going to teach us to fish for people.”
“Starting right now,” Peter adds. “He needs us right now.”
“James. John. I have a job for you and your brother,” Jesus says. “I am going to show you how to fish for people also. Come with me.”
The two brothers look at each other, then beyond to their father who has turned away from them.
Zebedee looks out into the water. Jesus is ruining everything!
“Father.” It is John.
Zebedee does not want to answer. He does anyway. “What, Son?”
“We want to go with Jesus tonight. You’ve got enough help. Please, Father. It’s important. It’s just one night.”
Zebedee continues to look off into the horizon and the setting sun creating a golden hue amid the growing shadows. Are his dreams setting too? Never to rise again? Are his golden years to disappear into the night all because of this Jesus?
He cannot let it happen. He cannot be destroyed by some fly-by-night dream of Jesus. He cannot allow his sons to be drawn in by it. Still, he stares.
While their father’s attention is seemingly in another world not of his making, James and John say softly, almost in a whisper, “Thanks, Father. We’ll see you in the morning.”
Zebedee cannot look. He knows he is losing. Losing his sons. Losing his business. Losing his reason for being. He does not know why he had not answered their request. He does not know why he had let them take the next step toward his ruin. He does not know why his world and everything in it is drowning.
Jesus walks off with Zebedee’s dreams, his family business, his pride and joy. How can Jesus snatch it all from him like this?
“Cast off!” His shout pierces the darkness, his darkness. The old man’s crewmen shove their boat from shore, then climb aboard. “We’ve got work to do,” he growls.
Jesus holds a lecture that night at the town square. The moon is full and bright and the townspeople delight in this early evening diversity.
“Did you see the size of that crowd?” Andrew says as they leave the square.
“A politician’s dream,” James responds.
“We’re not the only ones who believe Jesus will take the country and Jerusalem by storm,” John explains.
“King of all the kings of the world. That’s what he’ll be.” It is Peter.
“We want in on it,” James says. “John and I both do.”
The four fishermen head back down to the shore. It is not too late to join the others out on the lake. Well, they probably will not catch up with them, but can still put in the rest of the night doing their duty.
“Your father is getting older, you know,” Andrew says. “He needs us.”
“Yeah. If we work things right, we can fish at night, and stand with Jesus during the day.”
“But what if Jesus wants more?” John asks. “I know him better than the rest of you guys. He’s not going to be satisfied staying around here. He’s going to want us to go with him on another tour.”
“Well, we’ll just have to figure something out when the time comes,” Andrew replies.
“Jesus wants us along to train us. We’re going to be officials when he takes over,” James says.
The four fisherman arrive at their boats and climb on board.
The night passes in fishing. Futile fishing. Nothing for themselves. Nothing for their business. Nothing for father Zebedee.
Just as dawn breaks, they arrive on shore with empty nets and head for home. James and John fall into bed before their father arrives home. They wake in early afternoon before their father does.
A knock at their gate. Their mother, Salome, answers and receives the message. She hands it to her sons, her instincts telling her who it is from.
“Go. I’ll explain it to your father when he wakes up. Go.”
Capernaum, Province of Galilee, Palestine
They have just arrived from Jerusalem. They have been gone for weeks. Peter invites Jesus to his home. James and John too. They will go on to their own home tomorrow.
They learn Peter’s mother-in-law is sick.
“Jesus, make her well,” Peter asks. “She is a good woman. My father-in-law couldn’t make it without her. My wife is worried sick. Can you make her well? I know you can. She’s a good woman. “
Jesus does.
Her fever suddenly lifts.
“Jesus, you’re amazing! Jesus, who are you?” John asks. “I’ve known you all my life. But more and more, I am thinking maybe I never did really know you.”
Jesus just smiles.
That evening, their meal at Peter’s house is interrupted.
“Someone’s at the gate. I’ll get it,” Peter announces.
“I heard Jesus made someone well,” a neighbor says. “Can he make me well too?”
Peter invites the neighbor in, but shortly there is another knock on the gate, and another and another until he just leaves the gate open.
Jesus spends the rest of the night healing half of Capernaum.
Sea of Galilee Between Capernaum and Bethsaida
Back to fishing. Fishing every night when the water is calm and cool and the fish come nearer the surface to find food. They can be through for the night shortly after midnight if they reach their quota early. These days they do not.
Still, things are changing fast. Too fast. His business in a nose dive. Zebedee worrying. His sons going with Jesus to preach nearby whenever they can get away during the day.
Every night the same thoughts circle Zebedee’s mind, preying on him.
What is it about Jesus? That hold he has over my sons? He’s their cousin. I’ve known him since he was a toddler. Well, as long as they show up for work at night, as long as it’s just something they do in their spare time... They think Jesus is going to take over the country. Salome even believes it. Never happen. Maybe I’m worrying for nothing. This will all blow over, we’ll be back to normal, and my sons can take over my business so I can retire.
“Things are getting tight,” Zebedee tells his sons and hired crew at the seashore.
“They’ll get better,” John assures his father as he throws a large net into the boat he and his brother man.
“That’s what I thought. But they haven’t got better. They are getting worse. We’re going under.”
“Jesus promised us our business would pick up. He knows things other people don’t.” It’s James.
“He’s trying to hang on to your backing. That’s all.”
“I believe him, Father.”
Zebedee does not acknowledge his son’s rebuttal.
“We’re going to have to spend more time on the water. No more quitting before daylight. If we don’t produce more for the merchants, they’re going to go elsewhere.”
He climbs in a boat with his two sons and a crewman. His other crewmen climb into a second boat.
“Ready to cast off, men?” Zebedee calls out to those manning his other boat, and to Peter and Andrew in their boat.
“Ready, Zebedee, sir.”
Two crewmen assigned to each boat push them out away from shore, then the four wade out to their own.
Zebedee’s crew heads out into the deep, just as the sun is going down. Just as the fish are coming closer to the surface, and closer to the shore to feed. Or just when they’re supposed to be doing all this. Where have they been lately?
“Oh God, we need a good haul tonight,” Zebedee pronounces above the rattle of equipment, shuffle of feet, and insignificant waves lapping aimlessly at their hull.
“Bless us tonight,” he calls out to the heavens, arms raised. “Give us that turn around we need. Don’t let my business...” He can hardly say it. “Don’t let it...” He has never said it aloud before. “Don’t let our business sink. Oh God, fish with us tonight.” His arms drop.
Still the rattling of tackle, and shuffling of feet, and lapping of empty water. Still, the quiet reverent atmosphere even though the prayer has ended. Still, the begging in each heart even though the audible words have ceased. “Oh God, fish with us tonight” echoes in each man’s soul. God, where are you?
In the darkness, they do not see that God is now standing on the shore. He has been preparing a big surprise.
Just hang on a little longer, Zebedee. Can you? Just a little longer?
9:00 PM
They cast out their nets into the awaiting deep, and pull them in. Empty.
All is quieter than usual tonight. Is Zebedee’s luck running out? Try not to dream any more, Zebedee, of the successful business you worked to build up all your life. Try not to think of your sons who will have to find work elsewhere.
11:00 PM
They cast out their nets and pull them in. A few fish this time. But for all practical purposes, empty.
Maybe Zebedee should just close down the business and let his sons follow Jesus after all. They’re wasting their time out here. Fishers of people. Well, after Jesus gets a little more political power—if he does—donations might start coming in. That would give them a decent salary. At least someone would be working.
1:00 PM
They cast out their nets and pull them in. Over and over and excruciatingly over.
Try not to think of the dream house never built, Zebedee. or having your boats all paid for and all debts cleared before retirement. Try not to think of the vacations you and Salome were going to take after retirement, and all the friends and places you were going to see.
3:00 AM
Still, they cast out their nets and pull them in. A few. A trickling few. A time-wasting few. Oh how the lake mocks him.
Well, the house he’s had all these years isn’t all that bad. The neighborhood is going down, but it might hold until he dies. A new roof would help. He could do some odd jobs for that and sell some of that fancy furniture Salome bought. The new donkey they have is almost paid for. They could ride it five more years so they could save a little at a time for a new one to replace it. And their old house is big. They could turn it into an inn.
5:00 AM
Still, as though sleeping walking, they cast out their nets and pull them in. So weary. So tired. So angry. Angry at the lake. And the fish. Angry at themselves. And God. Empty nets. Empty hopes.
What will happen to the crew? They’re good men. Zebedee will write letters of recommendation for them. Can’t give them severance pay. But he could give them each some equipment of their own before selling the boats. There are other fishing businesses. Other lakes. Maybe other occupations they can take up.
7:00 AM
So few fish in the bottom of their boat. Why bother with them? May as well set them free. A few dozen. Not worth the effort. Can’t do anything with a dozen of anything. So tired. So full of gut pain.
Zebedee calls out so he can be heard in the other boats. “Pull them in, men! We’ve circled the lake. We’ve done the best we could. You’ve all been loyal. I’d hire you all over again if things were different. Let’s go home.”
“What’s Father talking about?” mutters John.
“Don’t ask,” James replies
The men in the other boats are not sure Zebedee has just said what they think they heard him say. Andrew and Peter look at each other curiously, say nothing, and pull in their empty, empty nets for the last time.
“Just set them free,” Zebedee calls out once more. “Set the fish free. Set everyone free.”
Slowly they make their way back to the shore. Slowly in his mind Zebedee sets his dreams free, his company free, his sons free. Free so they won’t sink with him.
Silently through shuttering waves picking up with the morning breeze. Silently through time creeping and eeking. Silently toward resignation to God’s strange will.
“Wash those nets good, men,” Zebedee orders. “After the seaweed’s out, scrub them down with a brush.” His voice trails off.
“He doesn’t usually get so particular except at the end of a season,” one of the crewmen mutters.
Zebedee, has your season ended?
Activity farther back on the beach. What is going on? Angry merchants? Angry taxpayers? More talk of riot against Rome?
Jesus is spending more time than ever going around talking to working people on the job. In the marketplace. At the city well. At the city square. At the city gate. At the inns. Jesus joins them wherever they are, waits for a lull in whatever they’re doing, then teaches them about the new kingdom of God and how they should act in it—morals, ethics, respect, the whole thing.
More and more people, now, crowding around him as he works his way down toward the lake. He stops where Zebedee, his partners, and crew are, washing their nets in grief.
Why does Jesus have to bring his crowd down here when the defeated ones by the lake don’t need or want anyone around? Can’t Jesus see? They don’t want to talk to anyone right now. Or see anyone.
Just leave us alone to wash our nets one last time. Not now, Jesus. Just go away. We want to be left alone while we sink.
Jesus looks at Zebedee and his men. Some look back. He sees the defeat in their eyes. Now Zebedee is ready. It is time.
“Peter, friend, could I use your boat to speak from?” Jesus asks.
Yes, Peter’s boat. The one with the nets still in it.
Peter looks over at the other men. James and John stay close to their father while he is down. Andrew helps Peter push the boat out away from shore.
He and Peter climb on board, sit behind Jesus, and listen. The water carries his voice crystal clear to shore and to anxious ears.
Still, their mind is only half on what Jesus is saying. We need a financial turnaround. Times are getting bad.
Jesus explains to the crowd on shore how to treat each other. How to treat religious and government leaders. How to treat God. They must change their ways so they can become good citizens of the new kingdom of God.
The sermon is over, yet not over. Jesus would rather live a sermon. He is about to do just that. With some nudging.
“Peter, go on out to the deep part of the lake and lower your nets there for a haul of fish.”
“You must be kidding, Jesus!” Andrew responds.
“We’ve fished hard all night. We’ve done everything we could think of to lure the fish to us. We haven’t caught a thing. It’s no use. The fish just are not there,” Peter explains. “They’re gone. Completely gone. Disappeared.”
“Zebedee is going to close down the business. If he does, we may as well too,” Andrew says. “One more throw out is not going to make a difference.”
Jesus just sits in the belly of the boat and waits without a word more.
You may be a good carpenter, Jesus, but you’re no fisherman. You don’t get fish out in the deep water. Besides, the nets don’t go down very far; it wouldn’t make any difference. And they don’t feed when it’s hot. It’s nearly noon. Better stick with what you know.
Still Jesus sits. But now he is grinning. That I-know-something-you-don’t-know kind of grin they will all get used to someday.
Andrew and Peter look at each other in confusion. And exhaustion. This is no time for a practical joke. It is stand-off time.
Andrew and Peter shrug, and take a deep breath.
“If you insist. When we get out there, I’ll cast the net,” Peter says. “But only because it’s you, Jesus. Then we need to go home, get some sleep, and prepare to close up the business tomorrow.”
Peter and John each take an oar and work their way out farther into the lake.
The color of the water darkens. Dark like the discouragement in their hearts. Dark like the melancholy in their souls. Dark like the disquiet in their very being.
Zebedee looks up from his half-washed net over to where Peter and Andrew should be. They are gone. He looks out over the water and spots them, launching out into the deep water. He stands. “What in tarnation are Jonah’s boys up to now?”
They all stand and watch. Father. Sons. Hired crewmen. With the desperation of their mind. The exhaustion of their body. The hopelessness of their future.
Zebedee watches, disgusted with his partners’ audacity. “What are they trying to do? Show me up? Take over my business?” he mutters.
Then, with a new thought, he becomes deeply troubled.
“Surely they’re not going out to jump overboard and end it all,” he says. “Sure, business is bad. But they’re young. They’ve got a whole lifetime ahead of them. They can start over.”
Zebedee thinks some more. Crazy think. “Or is that Jesus saying people should die for him? He’s in the boat with them, isn’t he? What’s going on out there?”
“Their boat is rocking!” James interrupts with a shout.
“Is he purposely trying to turn it over?” adds a crewman.
“No. Wait. Look! They’re pulling in their nets. It’s fish! It’s got to be fish!”
Peter and Andrew are now waving and motioning for help. Frantic motioning.
James and John know. By instinct they know. They throw their nets back in their boat.
“Come on, Father! Let’s get in on a miracle!”
The two each take a hand and pull their father on board, and the rest of the crew pushes them off into the water. Their old oars take them as fast as they can out farther into the lake.
Adrenalin shooting through the body. Life zipping through the blood stream. Heart returning to the soul.
They arrive alongside and the two younger men jump over to their partners’ boat.
“The nets are about to break!” shouts Peter. “Grab hold!”
The four tug and struggle and pull in the net. Countless fish. Fish all reserved and ready for the right moment in time. The right spot on earth.
Jesus is grinning. The angels are grinning. God is grinning.
Zebedee does not believe his eyes. Is he dreaming? He laughs.
“Can’t take any more on board. The boat’ll sink,” Andrew shouts. “Jesus, stay here while we climb into the other boat.”
Jesus sweeps his hand over in the direction of Zebedee, whose boat has arrived alongside theirs. “By all means! Be my guest!”
Zebedee moves toward the end of his boat to make room for his partners, and so the younger men can get in position.
The four let their net down over the side of Zebedee’s boat. The same thing. The miracle continues. Tugging and grunting and muscling in the fish. The lake shivers in delight as it gives up its treasure.
The other boat too becomes dangerously full, and the young men stop. For the first time, they look at their miracle load. Really look at it. Then over at Jesus.
Their hearts race for a completely different reason now. Oh, Jesus! You did this! You simply call and the fish hear you. From everywhere. They can hear the voice of their Maker. Oh Jesus, who are you?
The ambience changes from earth-amazement to spirit-astonishment.
Peter climbs over the edge back onto his own boat and wades through the miracle. He struggles to reach Jesus. For a moment eye to eye. Peter drops to his knees before Jesus, and shakes his head. His voice chokes.
“Leave me.” His whole body trembles.
“Leave me.” His voice trembles.
“Oh my Lord.” His heart trembles.
“I’m not worthy to be your friend or even in your company. I sin!”
The other three young men, too, climb now into the boat with Jesus. All four now kneel before this man standing in a boat in the middle of an insignificant lake somewhere on earth.
Somehow they know this man is not just a man. Somehow they know this man is divinity. But how? How can this be happening? How can they be in touching, and seeing, and hearing distance of the divine? They are not understanding. They are feeling dirty in contrast deep down.
“Leave us, Lord!” they repeat. “Don’t try to be our friend. We can’t measure up to you. We sin too much.”
Jesus looks at them, but not in as serious a manner as they. He looks at them as though it’s okay not to be perfect. He looks at them as though he’s a fixer. Fix their sins too? How, Lord?
Zebedee, still steadying the other boat, watches in amazement as the four bow before a man young enough to be his son. Somehow, he thinks they are right.
Still, this is not the time or place to decide. They are all about to drown. He must break the spell. For everyone’s good. Zebedee is so practical.
“Jesus, we do need to get ashore.”
The young men rise to their feet and stumble to their positions, trying as much as possible not to take their eyes off this amazing Jesus. Slowly, so as not to shift the load, they work their way back to shore.
As they do, Zebedee alternately looks at Jesus, then the fish, then his sons. Zebedee begins to calculate in his mind. Jesus knows he is doing it. In the last few moments they have caught two weeks’ worth of fish.
Zebedee looks again at Jesus in the other boat, but for a longer time now. Jesus winks. He nods his head in assurance. Somehow Zebedee understands everything is okay again. Everything is fixed.
Zebedee now looks at his sons, then back at Jesus. Jesus understands. It is a signal. Zebedee is offering his sons as a sacrifice to Jesus. His only begotten sons.
Jesus accepts Zebedee’s offering, again with his eyes. Zebedee understands.
They are near shore now. Zebedee’s crew wades out to them but cannot get the boats any closer. They are moored in until they can be unloaded.
When they see the load of fish, the crew looks at Zebedee dumbfounded. They help the old man out of the boat and to shore, then return to the boats. By now Jesus is back on shore too.
The two men, a generation apart, and in some respects a world apart, sit on the back for another filling.
Jesus and Zebedee watch.
Sometimes they look at each other and smile.
The last load delivered on shore, Zebedee stands. Jesus does too.
“James. John. You too, Andrew and Peter. Come here.” The four obey their elder.
“Jesus has something to tell you.” The four hold back.
“No. We cannot get near Jesus again,” James declares. “Don’t ask us. He’s too great for us.”
“Please, Jesus, just leave,” Andrew calls out.
“Come on, guys,” Zebedee instructs sternly. “You need to hear this.”
Hesitating, the four walk away from their miracle to their miracle maker. They stop several spans from Jesus and again kneel before this man who is as young as they. They feel so powerless in front of Jesus’ power. So sinful in front of Jesus’ perfection.
We’ll never make it in the new kingdom of God.
“Please, Lord, leave us now,” Peter begs.
“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus replies.
Don’t be afraid? How can they not be afraid? How can father Zebedee stand there right next to him and with such confidence? Does he know something they do not?
“From now on you will be catching people.”
What do you mean, Jesus? We already said we’d do that with you whenever we could get off work.
“Come! Follow me wherever I go.”
Father Zebedee smiles. At his two sons. At his two partners.
“Go on with him, guys. I’ll be just fine now. We’ll just call the business Zebedee and Associates.”
“Come,” Jesus repeats. “I will show you how to fish for people.”
They look back over at Zebedee. “Go on with him. I’ll send you some money in a few days after I get paid for this catch.”
“Do you mean it, Father?” John asks. “It’s not just for the day this time. It’s a long-term commitment. That’s what Jesus means.”
Zebedee lifts up a pile of old nets he leaves on the beach to cover up the burial place of his money bag. He quickly digs it up, then rises back to his feet, pouring its contents out into his hand.
“Here. Take what I’ve got. I won’t need to get the boats ready to sell after all. Take the money.”
James accepts his father’s offer. And the four wade as fast as they can back to their boats to pull them the rest of the way ashore.
John and James go to their father and embrace him. “Thank you, Father. You’ll be okay now, won’t you?”
“You bet! Who knows? Things may just get better after I get rid of you four,” he jokes to fight away his tears.
They all laugh. Peter and Andrew embrace Zebedee too. He’s been like a father to them since Jonah died.
“Good luck, sir,” they encourage. “Thank you, sir.”
Province of Galilee and Beyond
Up and down the highway. Through Bethsaida, Korazin, Magdala, Cana, Sepphoris, Nain, Tiberius.
City after city. Teaching. Jesus confirming that his words are really from God by doing the impossible. Healing disease and illness. Conquering pain and paralysis. Even casting out other-world demons trying to reach this world illegitimately.
Mille after weary mille. Mille after ecstatic mille. Earth-shaking news. Announcing that the new kingdom of God is near. Declaring this all-powerful Jesus will be the new king. And making the government leaders nervous.
“He keeps claiming he is going to be the next king and will rule forever,” they tell each other. “That’s treason.”
News spreads like wildfire over to the provinces of Decapolis to the east, to Perea to the southeast, and down into Judea. People beginning to drop everything to run out and hear this self-appointed king that seems to be putting the people first. He cannot be for real. But he is.
Every month, James and John send a message home.
Jesus is generating followers everywhere. Just a little bit of harassment from the temple and government, but nothing official. Nothing will ever come of them. Jesus is good at what he does. Real good!
Zebedee, with all the grit that runs through his veins, somehow knows his sons will be safe. Safe in Jesus.
“Got that old pioneer spirit I instilled in those boys,” he tells his wife at least three times each day.
Sometimes in the evening shadows as Zebedee fishes on the Sea of Galilee with his hired crew, he relives that miracle day when Jesus reassured him God would take care of his business. Jesus has that old pioneer spirit too.
LIFE APPLICATION
1. Jesus had to call some of his future apostles more than once. In what way do you feel you've only partially committed yourself to a new and deeper spiritual life? What will you do to make it a full commitment?
2. Recall a time when you were completely defeated, then after you admitted it, you were thrust into success. Did it make you feel like there was a higher power in charge somewhere who wanted you to know it was he and not you causing the success? Relate that to Romans 8:28 in the Bible.
3. Has there been anyone in your life who you felt made a stronger commitment to God than you, and you therefore resented that person? Perhaps you even did things to interfere with their commitment. What will you do to encourage that person?
CITATIONS IN THIS CHAPTER
In Order of Appearance
NEW TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE: John 2:12; Matthew 4:13-17; John 1:40-41,44-45; Luke 5:10; Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25; Mark 1:29; Mathew 4:18-222; Luke 4:33-41; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:42; Matthew 4:23,25
REFERENCES TO OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
made in this chapter in order of appearance
Book 2, Dream Maker, “God Eyes”