The Kingdom of God is Near.
Additional Reading — By J. C. Ryle
Mark 1: 16 — 20
Extract from J. C. Ryle
We read that our Lord called Simon and Andrew, when they were "casting a net into the sea," and James and John while they were " mending their nets."
It is clear from these words, that the first followers of our Lord were not the great of this world. They were men who had neither riches, nor rank, nor power. But the kingdom of Christ is not dependent on such things as these. His cause advances in the world, "not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." (Zech. 4: 6.) The words of St. Paul will always be found true: "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God bath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." (1 Cor. 1: 26 — 27.) The Church which began with a few fishermen, and yet overspread half the world, must have been founded by God.
We must beware of giving way to the common notion that there is anything disgraceful in being poor, and in working with our own hands. The Bible contains many instances of special privileges conferred on workingmen. Moses was keeping sheep, when God appeared to him in the burning bush. Gideon was thrashing wheat, when the angel brought him a message from heaven. Elisha was ploughing, when Elijah called him to be a prophet in his stead. The Apostles were fishing, when Jesus called them to follow Him. It is disgraceful to be covetous, or proud, or a cheat, or a gambler, or a drunkard, or a glutton, or unclean. But it is no disgrace to be poor. The labourer who serves Christ faithfully is far more honourable in God's eyes, than the nobleman who serves sin.
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