Immediately!
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
One of my wife’s favorite things about Mark is his liberal use of the adverb “immediately.” In the English translation I use (ESV), the word “immediately” shows up no fewer than 35 times in the Gospel of Mark. In today’s passage, you find the third and fourth occurrences, and we are only in the first chapter! Why?
The Greek word εὐθὺς (euthys) literally translated means “straight way.” As an adverb, εὐθὺς modifies how the action is taken; straight away or immediately. As an adjective, it amplifies a noun like a road, path, or way. Hold it! Haven’t we heard that already in Mark? Yes, in verse 3, we are told about making the path “straight.” Is it possible that Mark is trying to teach us as disciples of Jesus that we are to prepare a straight way straight away?
Turning to today’s passage, Simon, Andrew, James, and John begin the straight way straight away when Jesus invites them to follow him.
As disciples, do we procrastinate when the Triune God of Grace pokes and prods us to serve? Or do we respond to the Straight Way straight away?
Lord,
Nothing in this world, be it boats or nets or business, is as important as following You, Lord Jesus, for You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Please help us to be attentive to your voice when you call. May we be resolved to follow a straight way straight away.
It is in the name of the Great Shepherd that I pray. Amen!
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