3 OT A~"Leaving Zebedee" ~Mt. 4:12-23 Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

In many ways,

this call story is like every other call story.

It begins with an unexpected invitation,

and ends

with a risky decision,

a leap of faith,

and some baggage left behind.

Every call story I have ever heard

starts with God’s initiative,

and ends with men and women

who are willing to take a chance.

It is tempting to see this Gospel passage

as a story only about Jesus and James and John.

After all,

James and John dropped everything--

fishing nets,

family,

father

and walked out of the water

to follow their Lord.

If we think of Zebedee at all,

it's with a bit of pity,

and more than a little regret.

Poor Zebedee—

left behind

while his sons

are called on the adventure of a lifetime.

Poor Zebedee,

he's like the odd man out

after choosing teams;

the broken cookie at the bottom of the box;

the last of the batter

left in the bowl.

If we see Zebedee at all,

we see him as the old man

sitting in a leaky boat

clutching an empty net

and holding some shattered dreams.

Zebedee has became a symbol;

a sign of what it means to

leave it all

and follow Christ.

A reminder of the power of call

and the immediacy of response.

If we remember Zebedee at all,

it is as a cautionary tale—

a watery lesson

on the true cost of discipleship

and the importance of traveling light.

And all of that

every last bit of it

can be true.

But maybe there's more to Zebedee's story

than we see at first glance.

Maybe the legacy he left us

is more than a backward wave

and a quick good-bye.

Maybe there's a lesson to be learned

from the father who was left behind.

This lesson won't be found in a theatrical conversion story

or a drastic change of life.

It won't be heard in fiery preaching or

or a dramatic conclusion.

His example is quieter,

less visible,

but perhaps no less important.

Maybe Zebedee reminds us

that there is a difference between “left behind”

and “remains behind”.

His story reminds us

that for every missionary sent out into the field,

there must be someone who remains behind,

paying the bills and hauling in the nets.

For every disciple who drops everything

to follow a call,

there needs to be someone in position to

catch the pieces before they shatter and break.

For every man or woman

who forsakes family to follow Christ,

there is someone who stands firm--

ready to hug the children and water the crops.

Maybe Zebedee answered a call

no less compelling

and no less complete

than the one that inspired his sons

to drop the nets and get out of the boat.

His work,

although less romantic,

less glamorous--

is no less necessary.

Maybe he stayed in the boat

to put food on the table

for the families of James and John.

Maybe he supported the ministry of Jesus

with fervent prayers,

fresh fish

and some ready cash.

Maybe his sons' dramatic call

inspired him to reach out--

to feed the poor

and shelter the homeless.

Maybe when James and John

were called to drop their nets,

Zebedee's call was to pick them up.

It’s true,

There is always a price

attached to a call from God.

There will almost always be

someone left behind,

something left undone,

someplace else to go.

And it’s true,

there’s always risk –

something new,

something unexpected,

something big.

But maybe it would help to remember

that God is taking a risk on us.

G. K. Chesterton

may have had such moments in mind

when he wrote,

"An adventure is,

by its nature,

a thing that comes to us.

It is thing that chooses us,

not a thing that we choose.”

Everyone who is gifted with faith

is chosen for adventure.

Whether called to leave or called to stay,

it comes to us,

ready or not,

like it came to James, John and yes,

Zebedee,

unbidden, unimagined, untamed,

“This is the time of fulfillment.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Come after me”.

© Susan Fleming McGurgan