While Jesus is teaching with divine authority in the synagogue in Capernaum, a man with a defiling spirit (i.e., a demon) interrupts. In the New Testament, physical disease and demonic possession are distinguished; the latter requires divine intervention from a higher divine authority (i.e., Jesus). Nonetheless, both Christ’s healings and exorcisms are manifestations of the inbreaking kingdom of God He proclaimed.
In the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus teaches with divine authority that far surpasses that of the scribes (i.e., teachers of the Law) — who will opppose Christ throughout Mark. The people are awestruck at Jesus’ authoritative teaching — but awe does not = faith.
After calling His first disciples, they enter the synagogue of Capernaum on the Sabbath. As was His custom, Jesus begins to teach — schooling people in a town that will serve as His home base.
Because the appointed time has come, and the kingdom of God has come near, people should repent and believe in the gospel. Christ — the King — is both the message and the messenger. His first disciples exhibit the appropriate response to Christ’s radical claim: radical obedience
Like Simon and Andrew, Jesus calls James and John — an authoritative summons from the King. They respond appropriately: immediate, radical discipleship. They leave their family and their family business and begin to follow Jesus — to Whom everything else must be secondary.
Following the call of Simon and Andrew, Jesus fishes for their fishing partners: James and John. These “sons of thunder” — along with Simon (Peter) will form Jesus’ inner circle.
After being summoned by Jesus to become fishers of people, Simon and Andrew immediately drop their fishing nets and follow Jesus. They demonstrate the appropriate reponse to Christ’s authoritative call to discipleship — a call to complete and utter devotion to Him over everything and everyone else.
Simon and Andrew were fishers of fish; Jesus calls them to be fishers of people. That is, to catch people (once again, they were using nets not rods) and bring them into the inbreaking kingdom of God as they preach the Good News of Christ the King.
After Jesus’ proclamation concerning repentance and faith in the Gospel in response to the inbreaking kingdom of God (Mk 1:14-15), Jesus fishes for His first followers on the Sea (lake) of Galilee. Mark records Simon and Andrew as the first to respond appropriately to the summons of King Jesus
Jesus announces the inauguration of the prophesied, inbreaking kingdom of God — which has come at God’s appointed time. The kingdom has come because the King has come. The kingdom is here “already” but “not yet” fully consummated — not until the Second Coming. In the meantime, Jesus commands people to repent and believe the Good News of the kingdom. We must turn from our sin and turn to Christ the King in loving, loyal obedience.
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