Lyrics about the Lord
I was born long ago,
I am the chosen, I’m the one.
I have come to save the day,
And I won’t leave until I’m done.
But what I really want to know is…
Are you gonna go My way?
Back in 1993, Lenny Kravitz hit it big when he asked the musical question “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” Did you know Lenny wasn’t extending the invitation to join him on his next tour? He’s actually singing about Jesus.
Yes, THAT Jesus. The lyrics are all about the same itinerant, homeless Jewish Preacher/Teacher/Healer described by Mark in his bio of the Son of God.
Leaving Stuff Behind
Lenny got the idea for this single from an invitation Christ made to four commercial fishermen while walking lakeside in the boondocks of Israel (Mk 1:16-20). Two pairs of brothers. Simon and Andrew. James and John. These boys drop all they’re doing and gain…well…everything.
This all goes down the day the Son of God asks the four fishermen if they’re willing to go His way. But in order to follow Him, they have to leave stuff behind. To keep up and we have to put stuff down. In order to go this way we have to put something down.
Buckle Up
Let’s get a running start at our story by catching up with Mark’s look at the life of Jesus. And when I say “running,” I’m not kidding. The particular bio doesn’t mess around. It’s no frills and pedal to the metal. John Mark gives us the original Fast and Furious. You probably want to buckle up.
First of all, Christ’s weird, bug eating, leather wearing cousin John the Baptizer does the work of getting folks ready for Messiah (Mk 1:1-8). As folks flock to John for baptism, the prophet is shocked to the One he’s prepping people for standing in line to get wet.
A Rare Public Appearance
My guess is John isn’t expecting what happens next. The Spirit tears apart the sky and soars down like a dove. The Father’s voice booms from heaven with the ultimate “attaboy!” (Mk 1:9-11).
Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Trinity. We see the Father, Son, and Spirit making a rare public appearance together at the Jordan River. It doesn’t happen often. But when it does, it’s a very big deal.
Playing a Road Game
Jesus’ first day on the job of His public ministry is actually a private one. The Spirit sends Him to play a road game in the most hostile environment possible (Mk 1:12-13). The place is the wilderness. The opponent is the devil.
Forty days later with a “W” under His belt, Christ rolls into Galilee broadcasting the Gospel of God (Mk 1:14-15). Repent from sin and believe in the Good News. Turn and trust. It’s Go Time.
Jesus Doesn’t Need You but He WANTS You
Jesus is about to assemble His team. It’s interesting when you think about it. As the Son of God, He really doesn’t need one. You do realize He could do this all by Himself, right? Christ doesn’t need them. He doesn’t need me. He doesn’t need you. But He WANTS us to be part of His mission. He’s still inviting us to join Him in His work today.
Now if you were putting together a small squad of spiritual ninjas that would change the world forever, where would you go? Who would you choose? What skills would you be looking for? I don’t know about you, but I’m heading to Jerusalem in order to draft the best and brightest from Jewish seminaries.
Average Joes
Once again, Jesus does just the opposite of what we would expect. Instead of climbing the ivory tower, He makes a beeline for blue collar boys. Instead of bright lights and big city, Christ takes a casual stroll in the boonies. Instead of looking for Bible scholars, He sees working stiffs. Average Joes.
As a matter of fact, religious bigwigs are blown away by just how average these guys were. After Jesus’ resurrection and return home to heaven, members of the Jewish leadership council describe Peter and John as “ordinary men who had no special training in the Scriptures” (Acts 4:13).
A closer look at the original language of the passage tells us this was actually a serious put down. They actually call them “illiterate idiots.” I’m not kidding. Not even one bit. They also made another powerful point that is just as important. There was no doubt that these men “had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Knuckleheads, Goofballs, Weirdos, and Losers
Two thousand years later, Christ is still looking for average folks. Oh sure, He can certainly use highly trained scholars who have more degrees than Fahrenheit. On the other hand, He loves using the ordinary. And the Lord specializes in using knuckleheads, goofballs, weirdos, and losers. That’s exactly Paul’s point to that incredibly jacked up bunch of Jesus followers in Corinth (1Cor 1:27-28).
A New Kind of Fishing
Meanwhile, we see our Savior walking along the shore of Lake Galilee (v16). He spots a couple of those average Joes we’ve been talking about. Meet Simon and John. They’re fishing. This is no hobby. It’s their job. Their career. And it’s VERY hard work. Early mornings. Late nights. If something smells fishy, it’s probably these two.
As they’re throwing their nets, Jesus throws them a line. “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (v17). Stop what you’re doing, boys. The radical Rabbi/Carpenter has a whole new kind of fishing He wants to show you. But you’re going to have to drop what you’re doing in order to find out.
Get Over Here!
Christ’s invitation to “follow” is actually a pair of words in the Greek. The first is δευρο/deuro, which is an adverb meaning “come here” or an urgent call to come now! It draws one toward a goal at or near the speaker and implies movement. It’s Jesus’ way of saying, “Get over here!”
The second word is οπισω/opiso. It’s another adverb which means after, in back of, or behind someone or something. The term describes location, place, or position. The Lord invites the boys fall in behind Him so that He can show them where to go and what to do.
The Lord Leads
I’ve always got to remember that following Jesus means He’s in front. Our positions in this amazing relationship are critical. The Lord leads. I follow. He’s in front. I’m behind. Too many times I find myself behind the wheel or at least acting like an annoying backseat driver telling Him where we should go and how to get there.
He IS God. He knows exactly where He’s going. He knows EXACTLY when we need to get there. On the other hand, following is what followers do. Leave the leading to the only One who’s qualified. The Lord leads. I follow. Am I gonna go His way?
The Long Process
Jesus then makes a very interesting invitation to these dudes. He says if they will follow His lead, “I will show you how to fish for people!” (v17). Actually the folks who translate the ESV have a different take on our Savior’s words. “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (v17 ESV). If you think you’re a pro when it comes to fishing now, just wait until Jesus gets done with you!
Mark phrases it a little differently from Matthew (Mt 4:19) and Luke (Lk 5:10). He drops in a Greek word (Gr. γινομαι/ginomai) which means to be or become something. It emphasizes the long process involved in learning how to fish for people. It won’t happen overnight. Following Jesus places us in His process. It’s a process He promises He’ll finish (Phil 1:7).
Jesus Does the Heavy Lifting
In other words, all we have to do is hang with Jesus and He’ll do the rest. He’s the One doing the real work. He’s the One doing the heavy lifting. Our role in the process is to simply be obedient, simply do what He says. When we spend time with Him, hang out with Him, He’s the One who transforms us.
That’s what happens when we go His way. Jesus talks about it like a gardener over John’s Gospel. “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). As branches, we don’t make anything unless we’re connected to the Vine. He’s the One that gets it done when we go this way.
You probably know what happens next. “And they left their nets at once and followed Him (v18).” Another example of things happening fast in Mark’s Gospel. Simon and Andy don’t waste any time. They take Jesus up on His offer. I can picture these two brothers chucking their gear and running home to pack.
Leaving the Family Business
Jesus doesn’t stop there. He moves on up the beach and has a similar conversation with another pair of commercial fishermen. James and his kid brother John are working for their dad Zebedee and fixing holes in their nets (v19). Well, not for long. Not when Jesus asks them to go this way.
“He called them at once, and they followed Him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men (v20).” Darned if Zeb’s boys didn’t bail on him to spend time with Jesus. Jim and Johnny didn’t just give up a career but turned their back on inheriting what appears to be a successful family business. Note that their dad has other employees.
The Rearview Mirror
Both sets of brothers leave something behind in order to hit the road with the Rabbi. Before we can follow Jesus, there’s a pretty chance we need to put something in the rearview mirror. Simon and Andy leave their nets and their careers. Jim and Johnny turn their backs on success in business.
When I walk His way, I need to put something down. And it’s probably something significant. Something big. Something of value. Something that has the potential to compete with affection for Jesus.
Distracted Discipleship
Have I left everything behind? Have I dropped it all in order follow my Savior? You’ve heard of distracted driving. We’re talking about distracted discipleship. I need to dump anything that might distract me.
What could possibly steal my focus from Him? Well, let’s take a look around. Maybe it’s a destructive habit? How about a hobby that’s gotten out of control? The drive for success, money, and security? It might even be a relationship you know is wrong and would lead you farther from where God wants you to go.
What am I trying to drag along with me while I follow Jesus? It’s a good idea to travel light when I go His way. I can’t let anything slow me down. Don’t worry about what you abandon. Christ came to give His followers “a rich and satisfying life” (Jn 10:10). When I leave stuff behind, He has something so much better to replace it.
Hitting the Road
All four fishermen become Jesus’ first followers. In both descriptions, Mark uses the same word we translate as “followed” (Gr. ακολουθεω/akoloutheo). It describes accompanying another and allowing them to determine the direction. It’s going behind someone who takes the lead. They’re going His way.
Interestingly, this comes from a root word meaning a road or journey. If that’s the case, being a follower paints a picture of a traveling partner. Few things deepen a friendship more than hitting the road with a buddy. It really doesn’t get any better when that buddy is Jesus.
The Back Story
I have to admit there was something that has always bugged me about these “Come, follow Me” Jesus stories. Anybody else think it’s just a little weird that four dedicated, hardworking commercial fishermen would ditch their careers just like that? Some random Rabbi makes a crazy offer out of left field and you chuck it all just like that in order to walk this way!
Well, as we said before, Mark’s story moves quickly. He’s not much for details. John’s Gospel helps us fill in the back story. You see, Jesus had met at least a couple of these guys before (Jn 1:35-42). Andrew was a follower of John the Baptizer (Jn 1:40). And given the way John never names Andy’s fellow disciple, he probably was too.
After the two hang out with Jesus for a bit, Andy gets his big brother Simon and brings him to meet the One he believes in the long promised Messiah (Jn 1:41). Andy has this habit of bringing of bringing people to meet Jesus (Jn 6:8-9; 12:22). Not a bad rep, huh?
The First Four
So when we read the story on the shore of with Jesus and the four fishermen, we need to remember they already had a relationship. They already knew each other. When Christ was ready to build His team, He knew exactly who to ask. These two pairs of brothers would be the first four to go this way. They’ll eventually have another eight guys on the team.
The Original Rocky
Jesus gives Simon the nickname Peter which actually means Rocky (Jn 1:42). As the Christ’s original first round draft pick, Pete becomes the leader of the Discipling Dozen. Unfortunately, Rocky crumbles under pressure and denies Jesus three times at the very worst time.
But in one of the great examples of grace you’ll ever see, the Lord restores Pete after His resurrection (Jn 21:15-18). And what are Jesus’ last words of restoration to this former fisherman as they walk along this very same beach? “Follow Me” (Jn 21:19).
There’s also an important connection to Rocky and Mark’s story of Jesus. One of the earliest church pastors says Mark’s Gospel is actually Peter’s eyewitness account of what it was like to say “yes” to Christ’s question, “Are you gonna go My way?”
Two Thousand Years Later
Fast forward a couple of thousand years. Jesus is still extending that same offer. The offer to follow. If we take Him up on it, there’s a good chance we need to do something first. We need to leave something behind. In order to go His way, we need to put something down.
It’s a decision we need to make each day. Are we going to follow Him diligently and without distraction? If so, what do I need to ditch? I promise you, whatever He gives you is WAY better than what you put down. You will not regret it.
So, Jesus has a question for us. Are we gonna go His way?
I was born long ago,
I am the chosen, I’m the one.
I have come to save the day,
And I won’t leave until I’m done.
But what I really want to know is…
Are you gonna go My way?
Back in 1993, Lenny Kravitz hit it big when he asked the musical question “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” Did you know Lenny wasn’t extending the invitation to join him on his next tour? He’s actually singing about Jesus.
Yes, THAT Jesus. The lyrics are all about the same itinerant, homeless Jewish Preacher/Teacher/Healer described by Mark in his bio of the Son of God.
Leaving Stuff Behind
Lenny got the idea for this single from an invitation Christ made to four commercial fishermen while walking lakeside in the boondocks of Israel (Mk 1:16-20). Two pairs of brothers. Simon and Andrew. James and John. These boys drop all they’re doing and gain…well…everything.
This all goes down the day the Son of God asks the four fishermen if they’re willing to go His way. But in order to follow Him, they have to leave stuff behind. To keep up and we have to put stuff down. In order to go this way we have to put something down.
Buckle Up
Let’s get a running start at our story by catching up with Mark’s look at the life of Jesus. And when I say “running,” I’m not kidding. The particular bio doesn’t mess around. It’s no frills and pedal to the metal. John Mark gives us the original Fast and Furious. You probably want to buckle up.
First of all, Christ’s weird, bug eating, leather wearing cousin John the Baptizer does the work of getting folks ready for Messiah (Mk 1:1-8). As folks flock to John for baptism, the prophet is shocked to the One he’s prepping people for standing in line to get wet.
A Rare Public Appearance
My guess is John isn’t expecting what happens next. The Spirit tears apart the sky and soars down like a dove. The Father’s voice booms from heaven with the ultimate “attaboy!” (Mk 1:9-11).
Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Trinity. We see the Father, Son, and Spirit making a rare public appearance together at the Jordan River. It doesn’t happen often. But when it does, it’s a very big deal.
Playing a Road Game
Jesus’ first day on the job of His public ministry is actually a private one. The Spirit sends Him to play a road game in the most hostile environment possible (Mk 1:12-13). The place is the wilderness. The opponent is the devil.
Forty days later with a “W” under His belt, Christ rolls into Galilee broadcasting the Gospel of God (Mk 1:14-15). Repent from sin and believe in the Good News. Turn and trust. It’s Go Time.
Jesus Doesn’t Need You but He WANTS You
Jesus is about to assemble His team. It’s interesting when you think about it. As the Son of God, He really doesn’t need one. You do realize He could do this all by Himself, right? Christ doesn’t need them. He doesn’t need me. He doesn’t need you. But He WANTS us to be part of His mission. He’s still inviting us to join Him in His work today.
Now if you were putting together a small squad of spiritual ninjas that would change the world forever, where would you go? Who would you choose? What skills would you be looking for? I don’t know about you, but I’m heading to Jerusalem in order to draft the best and brightest from Jewish seminaries.
Average Joes
Once again, Jesus does just the opposite of what we would expect. Instead of climbing the ivory tower, He makes a beeline for blue collar boys. Instead of bright lights and big city, Christ takes a casual stroll in the boonies. Instead of looking for Bible scholars, He sees working stiffs. Average Joes.
As a matter of fact, religious bigwigs are blown away by just how average these guys were. After Jesus’ resurrection and return home to heaven, members of the Jewish leadership council describe Peter and John as “ordinary men who had no special training in the Scriptures” (Acts 4:13).
A closer look at the original language of the passage tells us this was actually a serious put down. They actually call them “illiterate idiots.” I’m not kidding. Not even one bit. They also made another powerful point that is just as important. There was no doubt that these men “had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Knuckleheads, Goofballs, Weirdos, and Losers
Two thousand years later, Christ is still looking for average folks. Oh sure, He can certainly use highly trained scholars who have more degrees than Fahrenheit. On the other hand, He loves using the ordinary. And the Lord specializes in using knuckleheads, goofballs, weirdos, and losers. That’s exactly Paul’s point to that incredibly jacked up bunch of Jesus followers in Corinth (1Cor 1:27-28).
A New Kind of Fishing
Meanwhile, we see our Savior walking along the shore of Lake Galilee (v16). He spots a couple of those average Joes we’ve been talking about. Meet Simon and John. They’re fishing. This is no hobby. It’s their job. Their career. And it’s VERY hard work. Early mornings. Late nights. If something smells fishy, it’s probably these two.
As they’re throwing their nets, Jesus throws them a line. “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (v17). Stop what you’re doing, boys. The radical Rabbi/Carpenter has a whole new kind of fishing He wants to show you. But you’re going to have to drop what you’re doing in order to find out.
Get Over Here!
Christ’s invitation to “follow” is actually a pair of words in the Greek. The first is δευρο/deuro, which is an adverb meaning “come here” or an urgent call to come now! It draws one toward a goal at or near the speaker and implies movement. It’s Jesus’ way of saying, “Get over here!”
The second word is οπισω/opiso. It’s another adverb which means after, in back of, or behind someone or something. The term describes location, place, or position. The Lord invites the boys fall in behind Him so that He can show them where to go and what to do.
The Lord Leads
I’ve always got to remember that following Jesus means He’s in front. Our positions in this amazing relationship are critical. The Lord leads. I follow. He’s in front. I’m behind. Too many times I find myself behind the wheel or at least acting like an annoying backseat driver telling Him where we should go and how to get there.
He IS God. He knows exactly where He’s going. He knows EXACTLY when we need to get there. On the other hand, following is what followers do. Leave the leading to the only One who’s qualified. The Lord leads. I follow. Am I gonna go His way?
The Long Process
Jesus then makes a very interesting invitation to these dudes. He says if they will follow His lead, “I will show you how to fish for people!” (v17). Actually the folks who translate the ESV have a different take on our Savior’s words. “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (v17 ESV). If you think you’re a pro when it comes to fishing now, just wait until Jesus gets done with you!
Mark phrases it a little differently from Matthew (Mt 4:19) and Luke (Lk 5:10). He drops in a Greek word (Gr. γινομαι/ginomai) which means to be or become something. It emphasizes the long process involved in learning how to fish for people. It won’t happen overnight. Following Jesus places us in His process. It’s a process He promises He’ll finish (Phil 1:7).
Jesus Does the Heavy Lifting
In other words, all we have to do is hang with Jesus and He’ll do the rest. He’s the One doing the real work. He’s the One doing the heavy lifting. Our role in the process is to simply be obedient, simply do what He says. When we spend time with Him, hang out with Him, He’s the One who transforms us.
That’s what happens when we go His way. Jesus talks about it like a gardener over John’s Gospel. “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). As branches, we don’t make anything unless we’re connected to the Vine. He’s the One that gets it done when we go this way.
You probably know what happens next. “And they left their nets at once and followed Him (v18).” Another example of things happening fast in Mark’s Gospel. Simon and Andy don’t waste any time. They take Jesus up on His offer. I can picture these two brothers chucking their gear and running home to pack.
Leaving the Family Business
Jesus doesn’t stop there. He moves on up the beach and has a similar conversation with another pair of commercial fishermen. James and his kid brother John are working for their dad Zebedee and fixing holes in their nets (v19). Well, not for long. Not when Jesus asks them to go this way.
“He called them at once, and they followed Him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men (v20).” Darned if Zeb’s boys didn’t bail on him to spend time with Jesus. Jim and Johnny didn’t just give up a career but turned their back on inheriting what appears to be a successful family business. Note that their dad has other employees.
The Rearview Mirror
Both sets of brothers leave something behind in order to hit the road with the Rabbi. Before we can follow Jesus, there’s a pretty chance we need to put something in the rearview mirror. Simon and Andy leave their nets and their careers. Jim and Johnny turn their backs on success in business.
When I walk His way, I need to put something down. And it’s probably something significant. Something big. Something of value. Something that has the potential to compete with affection for Jesus.
Distracted Discipleship
Have I left everything behind? Have I dropped it all in order follow my Savior? You’ve heard of distracted driving. We’re talking about distracted discipleship. I need to dump anything that might distract me.
What could possibly steal my focus from Him? Well, let’s take a look around. Maybe it’s a destructive habit? How about a hobby that’s gotten out of control? The drive for success, money, and security? It might even be a relationship you know is wrong and would lead you farther from where God wants you to go.
What am I trying to drag along with me while I follow Jesus? It’s a good idea to travel light when I go His way. I can’t let anything slow me down. Don’t worry about what you abandon. Christ came to give His followers “a rich and satisfying life” (Jn 10:10). When I leave stuff behind, He has something so much better to replace it.
Hitting the Road
All four fishermen become Jesus’ first followers. In both descriptions, Mark uses the same word we translate as “followed” (Gr. ακολουθεω/akoloutheo). It describes accompanying another and allowing them to determine the direction. It’s going behind someone who takes the lead. They’re going His way.
Interestingly, this comes from a root word meaning a road or journey. If that’s the case, being a follower paints a picture of a traveling partner. Few things deepen a friendship more than hitting the road with a buddy. It really doesn’t get any better when that buddy is Jesus.
The Back Story
I have to admit there was something that has always bugged me about these “Come, follow Me” Jesus stories. Anybody else think it’s just a little weird that four dedicated, hardworking commercial fishermen would ditch their careers just like that? Some random Rabbi makes a crazy offer out of left field and you chuck it all just like that in order to walk this way!
Well, as we said before, Mark’s story moves quickly. He’s not much for details. John’s Gospel helps us fill in the back story. You see, Jesus had met at least a couple of these guys before (Jn 1:35-42). Andrew was a follower of John the Baptizer (Jn 1:40). And given the way John never names Andy’s fellow disciple, he probably was too.
After the two hang out with Jesus for a bit, Andy gets his big brother Simon and brings him to meet the One he believes in the long promised Messiah (Jn 1:41). Andy has this habit of bringing of bringing people to meet Jesus (Jn 6:8-9; 12:22). Not a bad rep, huh?
The First Four
So when we read the story on the shore of with Jesus and the four fishermen, we need to remember they already had a relationship. They already knew each other. When Christ was ready to build His team, He knew exactly who to ask. These two pairs of brothers would be the first four to go this way. They’ll eventually have another eight guys on the team.
The Original Rocky
Jesus gives Simon the nickname Peter which actually means Rocky (Jn 1:42). As the Christ’s original first round draft pick, Pete becomes the leader of the Discipling Dozen. Unfortunately, Rocky crumbles under pressure and denies Jesus three times at the very worst time.
But in one of the great examples of grace you’ll ever see, the Lord restores Pete after His resurrection (Jn 21:15-18). And what are Jesus’ last words of restoration to this former fisherman as they walk along this very same beach? “Follow Me” (Jn 21:19).
There’s also an important connection to Rocky and Mark’s story of Jesus. One of the earliest church pastors says Mark’s Gospel is actually Peter’s eyewitness account of what it was like to say “yes” to Christ’s question, “Are you gonna go My way?”
Two Thousand Years Later
Fast forward a couple of thousand years. Jesus is still extending that same offer. The offer to follow. If we take Him up on it, there’s a good chance we need to do something first. We need to leave something behind. In order to go His way, we need to put something down.
It’s a decision we need to make each day. Are we going to follow Him diligently and without distraction? If so, what do I need to ditch? I promise you, whatever He gives you is WAY better than what you put down. You will not regret it.
So, Jesus has a question for us. Are we gonna go His way?
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