Mark 1:16-20
Yesterday’s Scripture reading ended with these words: “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame” (Gen 2:24-25, Christian Standard Bible). Just before the serpent comes on the scene, the creation account concludes with a unifying bond and no shame, even in the humans’ most vulnerable state.
I see a connection between yesterday’s Scripture and today’s verses from Mark 1.
Follow me, Jesus says in Mark (v. 17), and those first followers do. They join him to become part of the body of Christ. Simon, Andrew, James, and John immediately leave their occupation and their parents behind. They bond with Jesus, Word made flesh, God in human form.
Both passages, which describe how God’s creation process ends and how becoming a new creation begins, have the same outcome: a unifying bond forms without shame, even in someone’s most vulnerable state.
Our individual creation stories each begin with our response to Jesus’ call, Follow me and I will make you fish for people (v. 17). In those moments, we have a choice. Will we leave behind what we know to become unified with Jesus? Perhaps this is why so many of our ancient texts refer to Jesus as the bridegroom and the Church as the bride of Christ. Something about being a new creation in Christ begs us to look back and find our roots in the first creation. Maybe if we do, we will see ourselves as part of God’s creative work and finally be without shame.
Consider
What does being a new creation mean to you?
Pray
Jesus, call to us again. Give us the opportunity to be fishers of people. Show us how to unite with you and become one in your Spirit. Wipe away all of our shame. Amen.